Adoption of a tigress (PG13 AU Kung Fu Panda story)

[KingKovu44]

This is a prequel to my AU Kung Fu Panda fic "A Warrior's Rise". It shows how, in my version of events, Tigress became part of Shifu's family. Rated PG13 for some violence. No bashing or flaming, please.
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Adoption of a tigress


It was evening in the village of Yi Ran, a village not very far from the Valley of Peace. As the residents left their various businesses to return home for the night, a large, muscular white tiger in golden robes and bearing a fearsome sword with a curved blade and curved hilt on his belt. This tiger was male, and his name was Jian. He was an important citizen in this village, as he was the leader of the village guards. He finally arrived at home, where his wife, a beautiful normal-colored tigress named Xiu, met him.

“Welcome home, my love,” she began.

Jian held her close.

“I’m glad to be home. Today was a somewhat boring day,” he explained.

“Well, besides me, there’s someone else who’s been waiting for you,” Xiu said.

Jian smiled. He knew exactly whom she was talking about: their three-year old daughter. Jian went over to a cot where a small tiger cub rested. She was very cute and colored just like her mother. Jian reached out with a large paw and stroked his little girl’s cheek.

“Hello my little one,” he began.

The small cub looked up at her father with her big yellow and orange eyes. She then reached out and held Jian’s huge paw with her own tiny one. She gave it a slight squeeze and smiled with delight. Jian was overjoyed that his daughter showed such strength. It meant that she might one day become a great student in the art of Kung Fu, just as Jian and Xiu were.

“Oh my little girl,” the large white tiger said as he gently pulled the cub close.

The little tigress purred happily. Jian then laid her down and tucked her in. After she was fast asleep, he looked at Xiu.

“How was your day?” he asked.

“I was well, as was our child,” the tigress replied.

“Excellent,” Jian answered.

And from there, they headed for bed. A few days went by without anything of significance happening. Then, one day, everything changed for the worst. A gang of crocodile bandits, led by the villain Shui, came to the village, hoping to plunder the town’s wealth. The crocs attacked in the afternoon. They arrived without warning. Upon entry, they began to slaughter the residents and vandalize many of the buildings, as well as plundering any treasures they found. Jian and his family awoke to the sound. Through the windows, they could see what was happening. Jian strapped on his sword. He then turned to his wife.

“Hide our daughter! Now!” he said.

Xiu did as instructed. Just as Jian was about to head out to face the crocs, Shui and his men broke into the home. Jian was furious.

“What are you doing here?” the tiger demanded.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to plunder your home,” Shui said.

“I will die protecting my family and home,” Jian replied.

And with that, he drew his blade and engaged the croc. However, Shui then lashed out with his own blade and fatally stabbed the white tiger in the chest. Jian collapsed, blood pooling around his body. The crocs then turned their attention to Xiu. Without any mercy, they murdered her as well.

“Are we going to plunder the house?” one croc asked.

“No. The tiger fought back. He was a worthy opponent. We will leave his home alone,” Shui stated.

And with that, the crocs left. Once they had finished their spree of thievery and murder, they left. One of the survivors, a goose, left the ruined city and headed for the Valley of Peace, since it was only an hour’s journey. Once there, he headed for the Jade Palace to enlist the aid of Master Oogway and his student, Master Shifu, and Shifu’s wife and fellow Red panda Su-Lin, in aiding any survivors. Oogway agreed, and they set off. Back in the ruins of Yi Ran, Jian and Xiu’s cub crawled out of her hiding place. It had been a long time, and her parents hadn’t come for her. However, when she found them, they were just laying there, blood soaking them. The cub tried to rouse them, but to no avail. She tried more, but nothing happened. She then began to cry. Back on the road, many things weighed on Shifu’s mind. First and foremost was Tai Lung. Just a year ago, the vicious Snow leopard had slaughtered the valley in his attempt to get the Dragon scroll. Oogway had subdued him, and now he was locked away at Chor-Ghom prison. Noticing his student’s distraction, Oogway brought him back to the present.

“Shifu is all well?” he asked.

“No, Master. I cannot forget about what Tai Lung did,” Shifu replied.

Oogway went into a lecture about remembering the good parts of life. When it was over, they arrived at the village and began their mission. As they walked, they passed a house. The door was slightly agape, and the crying of a small child could be heard. They entered, and found the bleeding bodies of two dead tigers, a white male and a normal-colored female. Near them was their cub, a three-year girl who was colored like her mother. She was wailing. It was in this moment that Shifu’s fatherly instinct kicked in. He approached the girl and placed his paws on her shoulder. He then decided that he would adopt her as his own.

“There, there, Daddy’s here,” he said softly.

She instantly stopped crying. Su-Lin was amazed.

“Shifu, you have such a good heart,” she said.

Shifu then looked at Oogway.

“Master, as you know, Su-Lin and I were unable to have a child of our own. If you agree, I want to take in this young tigress,” Shifu stated.

Oogway gave his approval, and the little girl was adopted into Shifu and Su-Lin’s family. They debated over what to call her, but “Tigress” stuck, and became her name. They then began the journey back to the Valley of Peace. Shifu smiled at his new daughter.

“You will live with us at the Jade Palace, little one. There, you will train and become a mighty warrior,” the Red panda said.

Tigress’ young mind struggled to understand the words her new father had just spoken to her. She merely looked at him. The journey continued on until they reached the Jade Palace. Shifu and Su-Lin placed a cot in their room for their daughter. That night, Shifu heard a whimper. Focusing his large ears, he determined that it was coming from Tigress. She sounded scared and seemed about to cry. In a hurry, he rushed over and hugged her close.

“Hush, little one. Daddy’s here. Nothing’s wrong,” Shifu said.

He then stroked her neck ruffs. She seemed to instantly relax. She then reached out and nuzzled Shifu under the chin. She purred. For the first time in years, Shifu felt love well up within him.

“Sleep well, my daughter,” he told her.

The Red panda sat with her until she fell asleep. He knew that soon, she would begin her training. Unlike his training of Tai Lung, he would not fill her head with thoughts of greatness. He looked forward to that day. All that night, Tigress slept, unaware of the great destiny that would one day be hers. The path to that destiny would begin two years from now, with the meeting with a new student who would be her best friend throughout her whole life.

[Azdgari]

Nice story, KK! I've never seen Kung Fu Panda so I'm a bit at odds with the plot here, but I could follow it pretty well. A few minor grammatical errors here and there but nothing glaring. One thing that made me curious; why isn't the cub every named? Perhaps I'm just missing it but I don't believe you ever refer to the cub by name.

I'm sure it would make much more sense to me if I'd seen the movie. =P

[KingKovu44]

Thanks for the comments.

As for the cub not being named, that was done on purpose so that she could be given the name "Tigress" by Shifu and Su-Lin (Anyone else in the village who knew her name was either dead or had fled by the time they arrived). Tigress' birth name in my stories was Xiu Fen (ancient Chinese for "elegant fragrance").

Kung Fu Panda was a very good and funny movie. With regard to this story, however, it is only an alternate universe. None of these events actually take place in the actual KFP storyline.