Hello all! My name is FeatherPen, and this is my first fanfiction story! I've been reading on FF for a while now, and found a love for KFP Fanfiction! Took me some time to figure out if I wanted to join and write too... so here I am! I got this idea based off of two stories I've read and loved on this site; The Lion and the Leopard, Credit to NootalyaSafari and Reaching Out 2: To the Welcomed and Unwelcomed, by Cookiem2012.

Hope you guys like it...

Chapter 1:
The beginning

Sying was mildly uncomfortable...

Her girlfriends suggested to go to the annual Spring Festival in the neighboring Valley, and weirdly enough, her parents allowed her to go. Normally, such a question would almost kill her father, who refused to let her do anything that wasn't in his radius. Her mother was reserved and quiet, almost mute with fear of speaking against her father's rules and regulations. Not that he would hurt her; it was just to avoid conflict. Like her mom, Sying hated confrontations, and wanted to please others... so it was no surprise that Mama agreed to let her go...

The dress was tight fitting, and she felt like she was suffocating, but her friends insisted it was beautiful; blood red waved with indigo flowers rising from the golden waist line, wrapping around her upper body, until the final flower lay desolate on her shoulder.

It didn't take long for them to reach the village, but Sying would rather walking straight back home once the festival was over. However, the darkness was dangerous for young, unmarried women to wander aimlessly, as her father said. He gave her money to stay in an Inn. There was no disagreements, despite her annoyance of having to take money that wasn't her. Didn't her parents do enough by clothing, feeding, and sheltering her? They weren't the wealthiest, but they had enough to get by...

Sying lifted her weighted gaze from lining with the cobble beneath her feet, and with a steady breath, she took in the atmosphere;

The village square was brightened with colored lanterns, fireworks, and music. Animals of all shapes and forms were together in the one area, their liveliness was starting to shine; some were singing, some dancing, cheering, others laughing... and supporting one another with cheers and words of encouragement. Sying forced herself to dance for a bit, first with her girls, before she started getting swept away from the crowd, and stood on the sidelines, a little warm, but not too bothered; she could use a drink of water, with the dryness in her throat starting to grow on her.

Before she could reach the refreshments at the table near-by, she had to turn around; by doing that, she bumped into someone, she sent her back a few steps. "Oh!"

"Sorry I-" the words got caught on their tongue, and her eyes took them- well, him... in. He was a tall, handsome snow-leopard. Broad shouldered, standing with pride... he looked back down at her. His eyes were like two burning embers, unlike her royal blues; the glint of the light just bounced off of them, and it almost blinded her. He wore indigo pants... and no shirt. Dontlookdontlookdontlook! She scolded herself, and distracted herself by looking down at the floor again, blushing, catching a glimpse. He was well kept, and judging by the muscles, he was fit.

He was staring down at her too, starting with a bothered look, but it quickly changed. He seemed a little taken aback. "My apologies." He statement gently.

"It was my doing." She giggled softly, before coughing slightly. Moving her eyes back up to make eye contact, she added, her paw gently planting on her cheek, sliding slow to the side of her mouth. "I was just getting water..."

At first he said nothing; his mouth resembling a flat line, before he turned back to the table she was heading for, and picked up two glasses of water. "As well as I." He smiled at her. "Having a good time can be tiresome." He seemed much older by the way he spoke, and for whatever reason, she liked it.

"Definitely..." cupping the glass in her paws, she twisted her head over her shoulder to look out onto the dance floor. Her friends were still dancing, none of them noticing her absence. Good, that meant they didn't notice him either... "Are you from around here?" She asked suddenly.

"Yes. I've never see you around here." He was talking to her longer then five minutes... maybe he was sorry for her.

"I'm just visiting." Sying smiled softly up at him. Gosh, his eyes were mesmerizing. "I um... just here for the Festival."

He listened to her, nodded, and spoke when appropriate. Way more mature then other guys she's met. He must be older. "Well I'm supervising this event."

"So do your parents own this village?"

"Ha!" She jumped slightly. He continued to chuckle, before nodding towards somewhere far off, he proceeded to point in the direction of a trial of steps. Sying followed them, and eventually, her eyes fell- no- rose to the sight of a palace, its shape distinctly cut out from the night sky. He must be a prince. "I live there."

"Wow." It caught in her throat slightly, so she drank more water.

"I'm not one of royalty, if that's what your thinking. My father is a Kung Fu Master." Her eyes widened as he placed his glass down, and bowed to her respectively. "That would make me an apprentice of the trade. One of my jobs, being, standing around while everyone else has a good time."

Her head tilted a little, and he copied her. "That's no fun for you then is it?"

"I... suppose not..." he straightened his head when another song started playing, and a wave of cheers swam through the crowd. Smirking, he turned to her, and reached out his paw. "It can be. Care to dance?" Sying was a little surprised, but with a shy smile, she slowly took his paw.

"With pleasure."

He gently guided her to the middle of the square. Her friends finally noticed once they started to waltz in time with the music, along with the other villagers around them. They glanced at one another with wide eyes, before staring on enviously as Sying flew around the dance floor, letting this man take lead. Never in her life was she a good dancer, but whatever it was, she felt like the most admired, even though she never liked being the center of attention. One paw tentatively sat on her waist when he asked for consent, and at some point during the dance, her paw found its way to sit atop of his without her even realizing. Sying briefly glanced down at this connection, her heart rapidly beating as she looked back up at him, blushing slightly.

He chuckled a little, "what's your name mil lady?" Her heart started fluttering. "How rude of me not to ask before..."

"Sying..." she whispered breathlessly as they stopped, receiving a large eruption of applause from the surrounding crowd. A laugh cracked from her lips as she bowed shyly, before pausing, and turning to him. "And yours?"

Her friends started waving at her and calling for her. This handsome stranger glanced at them, before looking back at her. Taking hold of her paw once more, he brought it to her mouth, and gently pressed his lips on her knuckles. "Tai Lung..."

Six Months Later...

Sying was just entering the Valley when she was greeted by several villagers;

"Hello Madam!"

"Welcome back dear!"

"Tai Lung will be looking forward to seeing you!"

She gave a confident wave, and a cheerful hello to each of them as she strolled past. The Valley was so different to her home. In the last few months, she had become more comfortable in her skin. Tai Lung had requested a courtship not long after the festival, which she happily accepted, and he had met her parents almost two months in. All adored him right from the start; her friends would gush over how adorable their off-spring would be (which she had to laugh at), her mother relieved she had found someone she loved, and father had stern words that if they were to court he would swear to protect Sying from all danger...

What annoyed Sying was that folk in her village would talk words of them, when she wasn't around, or if they thought she couldn't hear. How was perfect for a working class family to step up the ladder, or how she would bag herself a life of luxury if he ever popped the question, and the envious women of her age group, mainly old school mates she never spoke with would mention how lucky she was to date a well kept, gifted, and wealthy knock out...

Like if any of that mattered? She loved him, and he loved her, no one else needed to be involved... apart from their loved ones, of course. Sying had met Master Shifu before, Tai Lung's father and mentor. He was a short red panda, with large ears, piercing blue eyes, dressed in a plain robe; modest, and humble, never had much to say. He greeted her formally, and never spoke harshly of her in her presence or absence, as did Master Oogway, an old, but kind turtle who wore a cloak, his mobility assisted by a staff. They welcomed her five months ago, and Sying had seen Tai Lung's mannerisms towards her were at high standards...

However, she was also around for another occasion. Make it three months in, Tai Lung had taken her out for lunch on one of her visits, and told her Master Shifu had adopted another child, and he wanted Sying to be there to welcome him or her.

She knew about his upbringing; he was very open, and didn't hide anything from her, and accepted the invite, and stood by him when Shifu came through the doors of the Hall of Warriors later that day, with a timid, quiet, but curious little tiger cub. Her name was Tigress, baring a burning orange coat, with ebony black stripes. Clothed in a faded red tunic and black silk trousers, Tigress was clearly nervous upon meeting them all, and Tai Lung being Tai Lung, he pretended to not be impressed with her at all, which probably smashed at her confidence a little bit... however, in his words, Sying came to the rescue, and welcomed her with open arms, promising her that she, jokingly, will keep Tai Lung in place, and make sure he won't give her a hard time, and Tigress laughed when Tai Lung looked offended.

He always told her that she was the reason she settled in so quickly, and Sying loved her company; it warmed her heart to see her on her visits.

"It's Sying!" Speaking of, she came running for her. Sying smiled down at her when she hugged her waist.

"Hey there!" Placing a paw on her shoulder, she glanced up and smiled at Tai Lung who wasn't far behind; he strolled with a sway in his shoulders, his chest out, the confidence dripping off him... and she sensed something more was going on. Tigress bounded off, saying something about having to practice her meditation, which left the two of them alone in the courtyard.

"I have a feeling something good is underway." Sying smiled, and Tai Lung only chuckled as they walked, his arm around her.

"Indeed. Something I've been waiting for my whole life." Sying's eyes brightened; he had been training non-stop lately, according to the letters he's been sending her. From dawn until dusk, and although it worried her greatly, he would always apprise her that there was nothing to fret. He was used to it, it became part of his routine.

They walked to the Peach Tree, and plucked a peach from from the lower branches. They sat and ate, and Tai Lung explained everything. Shifu was training him to become a sworn protector of the people; The Dragon Warrior. The title was fitting to his name, and Shifu must of foreseen it all when he found him as a cub. There was a scroll- The Dragon Scroll, in the Sacred Hall of Warriors that the true Dragon Warrior would obtain. She wasn't an expert in Kung Fu, but Tai Lung had told her all about the Dragon Scroll; a legendary scroll, written by Oogway himself, contained the secret to limitless power, and only the Dragon Warrior would be worthy enough to read it.

"I can't think of anyone more worthy." Sying held his paw confidently. When they made eye contact, she grasped it more tightly. "You won't forget me will you?" She said quietly.

Tai Lung just laughed, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?" Sying casted her eyes to the side, feeling silly by what she said.

"You'll have one of the biggest names in all of China. All the power and fortunate only a poor man could ever dream of... any girl is lucky to be with you."

He said nothing for a moment, before he just chuckled at her. "How can I forget you? I want you here, by my side..." He pulled her closer to him, and wrapped his other arm around her, waiting for her eyes to meet his again. "I love you, Sying, I would never forget you." He straightened his back and stood up, pulling Sying up without much effort. Once she was on her feet, bent to one knee, and bowed his head. "In fact, once I become Dragon Warrior, you will live here with me..." raising his head, Sying could feel her breath catch in her throat, "and we will marry... and that's a promise... if that's what you want?"

Sying's paw clutched the fabric of her tunic in the center of her chest. He smiled up at her sincerely, and she smiled back as she knelt down with him, their foreheads touching. "I couldn't have it any other way..." She whispered, eyes closing...

...

When she opened her eyes, her smile was long gone. That fluttering feeling of excitement had been distinguished. She was at the Peach Tree again, but it was night time. He was there too, but no one else was. A soft glow of the Valley was seen in the distance, but she wasn't trying to focus on that. They had to talk.

"Tai?" She spoke softly, stepping towards him tentatively. He said nothing, and continued to stare out. Maybe he was paying attention to the glow; it was a warm vibe, maybe he was relaxed. "Love?" A paw touched his shoulder momentarily, before he spun around, glaring at her. He never acted like this, and to say it didn't scare her more then making her concerned, it would have been a lie.

A small gruff sound echoed from Tai Lung's throat, and he turned away from her again, his claws latching on his wrists like a torture cuff, and her paw grasped her elbow instead, and what to do from there... there was no Plan B. Sying let her eyes wander the ground instead.

Shifu had called Tai Lung to meet him and Oogway only a couple of hours ago, and they were convinced Tai Lung was going to be crowned the title he worked so hard for, and she immediately imagined the dress, the wedding bells, and their eventual union. He came back, and she was ready to congratulate him... but seemed agitated, frustrated... angry.

After some time of silence, she had that feeling she wasn't wanted. "I'll leave." She said, before turning on her heel, and walking away. Feeling a little hurt, her paws enclosed over her chest, a little hurt by his coldness. He said nothing, and did nothing to stop her from going. The most he did was toss a glance her way, and watched her walk away. When his eyes turned back towards the open space beyond the cliff's edge. His focus wasn't really on anything in particular... until the Valley came into view.

The wind blew gently, lapping around his ears, soft enough for them to flicker.

He trained his whole life for this... and everything was taken away from him in a moment. He wasn't destined to be the Dragon Warrior... then why the hell did he waste his life for? He felt like... a failure. Not to himself alone, but to let Shifu down, even though he made no argument against Oogway rejecting him... he let Sying down too. The way he acted towards her... he didn't mean it, and he wouldn't dream of hurting her like that again. He should apologize, he had thought repeatedly.

Something came across his mind that stopped him from moving.

"I love you, Sying, I would never forget you. In fact, once I become Dragon Warrior, you will live here with me... and we will marry... and that's a promise... if that's what you want?"

"I couldn't have it any other way..."

How can he marry her now? He promised they would wed once he got the title. Now he didn't have it... what honor has he got left?

Soon, the thoughts became more obsessive... and soon his gaze hardened on the Valley below.

Sying- star

Hope you guys like it so far! Please let me know in the reviews :)