Disclaimer: Kung Fu Panda belongs to DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures.

Tigress padded silently down the dark confines of Chorh-Gom prison, coldly ignoring the glares of the guards and twitching her stripped tail as the only outward sign of her annoyance. Their movements were cautious; suspicion and distrust coloring their eyes as they followed her slow but sure progress deeper into the abyss.

Though not openly disrespectful to her, even Commander Vachir reeked of unease, his pride and body still stinging from his most recent and humiliating defeat.

It didn't help that Tigress moved with the same inherent grace as their one and only prisoner.

She stepped onto the bamboo lift, turning and locking gazes with its operator as she did so. He flinched, averting his eyes and fingering a puckered pink scar as he pulled the lever to go downward. It was new, she noted, and frowned at how he favored his right leg before he passed from her sight.

Tigress shifted with the lift's movement, folding her arms and staring blankly at the stone walls around her. Her claws bit harshly in to her flesh as her grip tightened, anxiety writhing in her gut and doubts gnawing at her.

She could hear the pounding of hammers as the finishing touches were made on the repaired Prison.

Her ears swiveled and she looked up.

Sharp eyes took in the newly constructed bridges, the reinforced bronze doors and the assortment of traps and defensive weaponry. If someone were to try to get out (or in, for that matter) they would quickly find themselves out matched. Commander Vachir had done well in heeding Master Shifu's advice this time, even going so far as to add extra precautions to even the back up plans.

No, this time, escape would truly be impossible.

Even for Him.

Tigress took a deep, shuddering breath and steadied herself as she touched down on the prison's bottom. Torch light washed over her, making the white and black markings on her orange fur stand out and clash with her surroundings.

She let her hands drop to her sides, continuing to exhale and inhale softly in an effort to still her racing heart. Letting her eyes fall shut, she tuned out the now unnerving silence and searching for her inner peace. Golden eyes snapped open moments later, determined, and she glided forward towards the intricate bronze gate.

The guards flanking it stood at attention, one of them nodding in her direction before pulling out a large key and fitting it into the door to let her pass. It clicked and the sound of gears swirling rang hollowly in her ears as locks unbolted and released the door with a smooth clang. It swung open noiselessly, creating a column of light in the dark room beyond.

Tigress stepped through quickly, muscles flexing when the doors slammed shut and locked behind her.

She stood still for a moment, tilting her head in the direction of faint breathing not her own, letting her eyes adjust to the gloom.

When she saw the prisoner, she was taken aback by his restraints.

He knelt on the hard ground, back bent in a painfully hunched position over his bolted legs. His arms where spread wide, chained to massive weights held suspended over him, ready to crush him if he attempted escape. The muscles in his arms stood out at the constant strain and she winced at the sight.

His body was encased in a turtle shell, nearly the same as the last, but with one major difference: his treacherous tail was encased as well.

For a moment, Tigress felt overwhelming pity for the creature, obviously in agony but determined not to voice it.

But it soon passed and she let herself prowl gracefully to stand in front of him. She waited for a moment, taking in his feral features and giving him a chance to acknowledge her presence.

He said nothing, body still and near-soundless breaths whispering in the space between them.

His silence brought on a twinge of annoyance, so when she spoke her voice was much sharper than she had intended it to be.

"Tai Lung."

A pause.

"On behalf of the Dragon Warrior, I have come to offer you a proposition."

Perhaps a bit abrupt, but she had never been one to mince her words anyway. The silence stretched and Tigress was beginning to wonder if he had even heard her, when suddenly she was gazing into burning eyes.

Their proximity to her face startled her; she hadn't realized she had moved so close.

She was intimidated, and yes, afraid, but she pushed it back, straitening her already perfect posture and meeting his gaze levelly.

He closed his eyes (she sagged inwardly in relief) snarling viscously.

"What the hell does that fat panda want?" He spat, disgust dripping on each syllable.

Tigress bit her tongue, fighting to have patience and not to lash out at him with her claws. She remembered her battle with him on the bridge far too vividly and tried not to take offence at the disrespectful reference he made to who was now proving to be one of her closest friends.

She took a deep breath, curling her tail around her spread feet and placing her hands behind her back.

"The Dragon Warrior has requested that you return to the Jade Palace."

She paused again, gritting her teeth.

"He believes that you should be offered a second chance."

Alright, perhaps she was making her words more flowery than usual, but she would try (oh, would she try) to be civil with him.

His eyes flashed open and he snarled again, his arms pulling at their restraints, making the weights above them swish and rumble.

"No."

His voice was cold, so cold and Tigress had to repress the urge to step back. She shook off her discomfort, silently encouraging herself. 'I am Tigress, a Master of the Furious Five. I will not be intimidated by a chained criminal.' Eyes narrowed, she leaned forward, bringing herself dangerously close to Tai Lung's face.

"No?" She hissed. "Do you even understand what I am offering you?"

"Do not patronize me, woman." He hissed back, his jaw clenching.

"I will not be indebted to that disgusting, loathsome, fat-"

Tai Lung stopped, lips still pulled up over his teeth and neck muscles rippling as he tried to restrain himself.

Tigress leaned back, smoothing her paws down her vest and noticing how his eyes followed the movement. She scowled and bared her teeth.

"Look, I don't want to be here. If it were up to me, you would be left to rot in this god forsaken place."

A hiss stole from her throat; bitter, angry.

"However, since it is not up to me, you are lucky enough to have this opportunity."

Tigress glanced away, swallowing the sour taste in her mouth before continuing.

"I'm going to be very frank with you."

She looked directly into his burning eyes. "Po believes in this. In you."

She began to pace, her tail moving about her agitatedly. "I don't know why, nor do I agree, but-"

Her claws dug into her paws, drawing blood.

"He seems to think-"

Tigress ground her teeth. "that we need you."

She stopped pacing and looked at him.

He watched her, eyes calculating, nose quivering as he scented her blood.

His pupils dilated and his mouth parted slightly. Tigress saw the signs of battle withdrawal, cursing herself inwardly for letting her emotions get the better of her.

"And what," He asked, deep voice husky as it echoed in the hollow room. "do I get if I agree to this?"

"Your freedom." Was her blunt reply.

He raised an eyebrow.

Tigress felt a pang in her chest at the sight, recognizing the mannerism as Master Shifu's. The snow leopard before her probably didn't even realize he was doing it.

It made her want to tear his fur out.

"Every crime will be erased. You can go where you wish and do what you please. And-"

He cocked his head at her change of tone.

"You won't be tied to the Jade Palace."

His sharp eyes closed, considering her offer, though she was sure of his choice.

When he opened them, his gaze was calm, face carefully blank.

"I accept your proposal."

Though his tone was neutral, Tigress couldn't help the shiver of foreboding that ruffled down her spine. There was a double meaning to his promise, though what it was she had no idea.

She nodded briskly before her silence could get awkward, turning away from him so she could fetch the guards and, of course, their keys.

His voice stopped her.

"Aren't you going to release me?"

The challenge was as clear as his casual question and when she swiveled her head at him, ears flickering in his direction, she was unsurprised to see a cocky, fanged grin.

Tigress considered the prisoner for a moment, then in an action almost too fast to see, she sliced the weighted chains with her claws, letting them fall close enough to his head that he could feel the breath of their passing, before executing a perfect split that sent the giant boulders flying to opposite sides of the cell in splintered parts.

She landed in a crouch facing the door, rising with a slow swish of her tail.

"I'll go get the keys."

Before the door closed, she chanced a glance back.

And felt smugly satisfied at the surprised look on his face.

AN: What do you think? Any mistakes? Tell me and I will fix them!

Review Please!

~Delgodess