Author's Note: I want to thank everyone who had read and reviewed this story in the past. I know it has been a long time and I'm terribly sorry. There was really no excuse for not finishing this story other than I had lost interest and didn't know where to go.

However now that I am older…way older, I realize that I do need to finish what I start. This is why I will be rewriting the story while continuing to add on to it because, jeesh, younger me really needed a thesaurus and editor. So perhaps it is not a bad thing that I waited a couple of year….6…..6 years to finish this story. I hope it will be much better than the original and exceed expectations. Here's to my audience, who have never stopped inquiring about me when it was clear I had given up on myself. And now, enjoy!

Disclaimer:I do not own these characters for they belong to the people who created them. Trust me; the movie would come out way different if I wrote it.

Warning:This story contains mature content and relations M/M characters. This story also will contain a rape scene in later chapters. That's about all, so enjoy!

The humming of evening crickets echoed through the night as all members of the Furious Five made their way up the stairs towards their sleeping quarters. Crane listened with a small frown on his beak, head tilted to the side, while the others chattered, and not so nicely, about the Panda becoming the infamous Dragon Warrior. It was surprising, to say the least, when Grand Master Oogway had pointed to the unconscious Po who had fallen out of the sky, his black and white fur singed by the remnants of rockets that were littered around him and a dumbfounded look still painted on his large face.

Crane had initially chuckled to himself when the panda had awoken and apologized profusely while Master Oogway continued to look at him with a contemplative expression upon his old withered face. The sight was indeed a hilarious one as Po stood there awkwardly, dark eyes darting around every available surface in a mix of awe and slight terror, as if he knew he wasn't meant to be standing next to the Furious Five. That was indeed the case, and Crane fully expected the Panda to leave or be escorted out by the small security team that were making their way over to him with small but authoritative shuffling steps. However his amusement ended when a soft sigh of "how interesting" left the old tortoise's lips, his finger still pointing at…no. It couldn't be. At that moment Crane believed that he had been the only one to realize exactly who the Grand Master had been pointing at and silently willed the others not to say anything. But, like almost everything else in his life it seemed, his wish was not answered as Tigress stepped forward.

"Master…are you…are you pointing at me?" Tigress asked softly, eyes widened in potential excitement and suspicion as she stood next to the intruder. Crane briefly closed his own eyes, a soft sigh escaping his mouth when Master Oogway inevitably answered, "him," and gestured towards the panda. It almost made the tense moment worth it when the other responded back with an incredulous "who?" and then proceeded to move to the right and left, watching as the Master's finger continued to follow him while Tigress started to glare at him.

"You," Master Oogway replied while the other gaped, mouth opening and closing and only allowing a soft "me…?" to escape. The old tortoise looked up toward the sky in satisfaction, shuffling backward a couple of steps while raising his arms slowly and exclaiming, "The universe has brought us the dragon warrior!" The Master used his own staff to gently raise the Panda's limp paw. Instantaneously a collection of several "WHAT!"s and cheers erupted from the once silent stadium as the gong sounded and various students ran out to try to lift newly minted Dragon Warrior; eventually failing but still leading him toward the palace so that he could start his training immediately.

In all honesty, as confusing as the scene was, Crane was relieved that he hadn't been chosen as the foretold warrior who would battle the evil Tai Lung. Tai Lung. That name had haunted him for the past twenty years when the actual physical memory of the Snow Leopard had diminished just like a ghost; a presence certainly but nothing to be scared of. 'I can't even remember what he looks like' Crane mused and decided that it was a good thing. Perhaps he was indeed finally moving on just like Master Shifu had encouraged he would. Just then, a jeering taunt sounded through the air and broke the bird out of his reverie.

"Hey Crane, are you coming with us or are you just going to stand there all night?" asked Monkey, his gentle voice playful and big brown eyes amused. It was then that Crane noticed that he had stopped walking when he was reminiscing and the others were far ahead of him. He blushed slightly when he realized that they all were staring at him.

"Uh….yea," Crane replied, embarrassed as his team mates held casual smirks on their faces. Quickly he unfolded his wings and flew up to his friends and landed gracefully behind them, all the while casting his gaze towards the broken and chipped stone steps.

"It's ok, Crane," Viper comforted, noticing her friend's sudden bashfulness.

"Yeah, thinking about how Master Oogway would choose a lowly Panda to be the dragon warrior would stop me in my tracks too," Tigress said in her demeaning manor before continuing on. "I mean, him? He was about to point at me and the Panda ruined it," she finished. Crane somehow highly doubted that the tortoise Master would have pointed at her even if Po did not crash in on their celebration. After all, the Dragon Warrior was already predestined by past Masters who had moved on and the decision could not be changed. Grand Master Oogway would have probably followed his clawed finger outside the temple stadium until he found the one he was looking for. But to appease the ego of Tigress, Crane just nodded as if that was what he had been reflecting on.

"You know what the people are saying, Tigress? That the dragon warrior flew down in a big ball of fame that astounded everybody, like he was meant to be there!" laughed Mantis condescendingly, the others joining in shortly after. Crane forced a small smile. Clearly the other four were not amused at how the Panda had virtually ruined their chances at being chosen, and still apparently thought it was just a joke. The wind warrior was also slightly perturbed. After all, he knew how wise Grand Master Oogway was and if he believed that Po was the Dragon Warrior, then they should accept it as truth and start trying to befriend the larger being. It was what they should do as respected warriors of kung Fu which preached openness towards everyone.

"Astounded? Come on, he can't even touch his toes," Viper giggled, and Crane stopped, this time consciously when he saw the bright green bushes they had just passed shake ever so slightly. He studied the leaves on the bush, gaze narrowing while wondering what exactly could have made them move like that. There was no breeze after all, so there was no reason for them to shake. When he sensed no further movement, Crane was just about to blame it on his imagination (after all, he had just been thinking of Tai Lung and just that action would put anyone on high alert) when…ah! There! Again there was a slight shaking of the leaves but this time accompanied with an almost silent sniffle. Suddenly the bird felt his stomach drop as he realized what, or who, was behind the movement.

"Or see his toes," Monkey added, completely oblivious to his surroundings as he walked in tandem with the others. Not all of the students were as unaware as Monkey though and realizing they were one short, Tigress whipped around and stared at Crane again. "This is the second time, Crane. What's gotten into you?" she asked in a demanding voice, her agitation with the decision and the day as a whole showing in her tone.

"Um….you guys go ahead. I feel like taking a walk," Crane replied hastily. "Fine," was the only response he received in return, but Crane brushed it off. When he was sure the footsteps had died away and that none of his friends would be coming back, Crane faced the bushes that leaned against a large moss covered boulder which successfully hid the Panda from view. Crane sighed and lowered his body to sit on the steps. He patiently waited in that position for a few minutes for the Panda to appear, but it soon became evident he wouldn't as long as he believed the bird didn't know he was there. Again the bird warrior sighed, closed his eyes, and then slowly opened them.

"I know you're there Po, so you can come out now," Crane urged, feeling the need to speak to him when he would otherwise ignore him. A faint rustle was heard, and then in one swift movement the Panda stepped out behind the boulder, head down and shoulders sagging in a defeated posture. The sight somewhat saddened Crane, although he couldn't figure out why. The bird felt pity, yes, but pity did not equate to feeling as though his heart was about to burst from his chest. At least, it shouldn't.

"So, you heard what they said?" Crane asked, desperate for a respite from his own emotions. It was just because he had reminisced about Tai Lung, Crane told himself, and of course that would bring up some old phantom feelings. It had nothing to do with the big brown orbs looking at him so brokenly. The inquiry was followed by a slow nod from the other and it became clear that he did not want to speak when he started to walk in the opposite direction. The bird looked down, ashamed that he had smiled to try to fit in with his fellow friends instead of voicing his own opinion. It was evident that Po really didn't believe he was the Dragon Warrior but was excited about staying at the Jade Temple. Why, the bird did not know, but he had a feeling that the other possibly didn't have many friends. Could he have been excited to meet Furious Five? Almost everybody in the village were kung Fu fans and practically worshiped the warriors of the Jade Temple. Could Po have been one of them? If so, then his own idols that he looked up had just treated him as though he was not even worthy to be the dirt they stepped on. Couldn't the others see they were making it harder for him?

The answer was clearly no. The other four were still furious that none of them were chosen to be the Dragon Warrior, but that the honor was given to some village punk who did not even know rudimentary kung Fu and who was clearly not cut to even be named any kind of warrior. While Crane understood his friends' side of the situation after training hard for years to get where they were, he was also disappointed. He was also slightly disappointed in Master Shifu. The red panda Master had even gone so far as to protest in front of the community that a mistake had been made. They couldn't see past their own anger, and it was affecting another living being in a negative way. Maybe he could comfort the Panda just like when Master Oogway comforted him.

"Listen Po….," Crane began but was cut off abruptly.

"Yeah, I know what you're thinking. I'm just a big fat Panda. How could someone like me be the Dragon Warrior? I mean, I can't even see my toes," Po said mockingly as he turned to face the bird, voice harsh with bitterness. Crane was shocked. He had never heard the Panda speak like that, not that he had known him long, mind you. But Po seemed like a gentle, caring creature.

"Maybe you're right. After all, I heard the same thing all my life. I'll never amount to anything but a noodle salesman," he finished and this time when he turned to leave, he didn't look back. Crane watched him go with a frown on his face and shame in his eyes as the other headed in the direction of the Tree of Wisdom. Should he let the other go to deal with his own emotions? Some people valued solitude when they were feeling down. He certainly fell into that category; but for some reason Crane had a feeling that the giant panda was just not one of those types. Determined to make this right, Crane quickly rose to follow the wayward warrior.

Crane had silently followed Po to the Sacred Peach Tree and was slightly surprised to see the panda slumped against it and talking to Grand Master Oogway who was standing against his staff and holding a lamp. The glow of the orange lamp against the aged rough bark and midnight sky made the scene look serene and peaceful, and Crane knew from experience that talking to Grand Master Oogway would help the panda more than anything he had to say. The old tortoise had a way of making you reevaluate your beliefs whether it be about your performance as a warrior or student, or your feelings for somebody that should not be. 'Maybe Master can cheer him up more than I can' the bird thought from where he was hiding. Right behind a large rock formation, just like Po had done only half an hour before. The fact that they had reversed their positions was not lost on him, but perhaps this would have a better outcome.

Sure enough, Crane smiled as he saw the Panda's demeanor slowly change as the two continued their conversation. The bird let out a sigh of relief as Po pushed himself up from the ground and the change was made that more apparent. The Panda stood taller than Crane had ever seen him and he had a huge grin on his face as he watched the Master walk away when their talk ended. Crane could see a sparkle of confidence in those expressive eyes which seemed to make his whole being shine that the bird had never seen before. How handsome…Crane thought before he could stop himself, his eyes widening when his consciousness caught up to his mind. No…just no. There was no way he could allow himself down that path again. Not after what happened last time. He was just happy that Master Oogway once again helped someone in need and that Po seemed better now than he had all day. It was just compassion that had made him follow the panda anyway. He needed to make sure the other was okay. That's all it was. Then why did his heart beat faster as he gazed upon the Giant Panda?

Shaking his head, Crane turned and leaned back against the rock, dark brown orbs gazing off into the distant stars as though they could provide an answer. Regardless of his own feelings and problems, the bird was glad that Po seemed alright and he looked forward training with him again tomorrow. Even though today had been a complete blunder, no thanks to Master Shifu who purposefully made sure that the Furious Five did all they could to scare Po away, he had a feeling that maybe Panda would prove himself tomorrow. Or the next day, perhaps. Well, maybe someday. Silently Crane peeked around the dark stone only to find that the Panda was gone. He tried not to think about the disappointed feeling that flared in his breast once he realized this.

"I wonder what they talked about," Crane whispered under his breath as he stepped out from his covering.

"Maybe you should have moved closer," said a familiar voice behind him, making Crane jump in surprise. "Grand Master Oogway!" Crane shouted in alarm, turning around and instantly bowing in respect. 'How did he get here so fast?' For being so old, the other still had a few tricks up his sleeve. The old tortoise laughed softly, eyeing Crane with merriment and instantly making Crane relax. He always felt safe with Grand Master Oogway around. Even though the older being did not seem at all upset to learn that the bird had been watching their conversation, Crane felt as though he needed to say something. His manners demanded it.

"I'm…I'm sorry Grand Master, I should not have spied," Crane apologized, eyes lowering to the ground in complete obedience.

"It's alright, young one. I understand," Master Oogway smiled. The bird stared at him in confusion. Now he was lost, although it wouldn't be the first time. Grand Master Oogway always spoke in some kind of wispy riddle that more often than not confused the listener. While it was an endearing quality, it was not something that Crane really needed right now. Instead of just nodding like most students do when Master Oogway would speak with them, the bird decided to be a little more confrontational than normal. It had been a long day after all, as more than one puzzling event had transpired.

"I'm sorry, Master, but what do you mean by 'you understand'?" Crane asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Oh, that you care for the Panda," the tortoise replied flippantly while turning around and walking the other way towards the palace. Crane stood there in bewilderment as the words finally sank in. Abruptly he shook his head and began to follow Master Oogway.

"Grand Master Oogway…..I am sorry but I do not understand. I feel compassion for Po certainly, but to…to say that I care for him as a…friend cannot be possible," Crane explained hurriedly, not wanting the other to get the wrong impression. "After all, I have only known him one day…and we haven't talked except for on the steps…," the bird trailed off, not wanting to divulge what was said about the panda. It certainly wasn't his place to tell. Whether he was protecting his friends or Po he could not tell you, but he didn't want the old Master to know either way.

"Aw, but yet you tried to comfort him and even followed him to make sure he was okay. Is that not caring for him?" the tortoise asked, completely silencing any of the bird's protests for a second. While the other did have a point, Crane didn't really want to admit it. Just when he was about to open his beak to protest once more, Master Oogway lifted his cane, signaling that he had more to say.

"How long has it been, Crane, in which you last cared for someone? A little more than twenty years?" This statement stopped Crane from further movement. Noticing a lack of a companion, Master Oogway stopped also and slowly turned, a knowing smile on his crinkled face, and this time there was another expression in his eyes besides merriment. It looked a lot like…mischief. Crane continued to stare at the tortoise, stuck between shouting in sudden anger or slinking off in self-pity. While he knew that was not the tortoise's intentions, he couldn't help but feel that the older Master was being a little unfair.

"Master….that…that doesn't count. Why…why would you bring that up," Crane asked, feeling slightly betrayed and a little hurt while the tortoise still smiled, calm and serene.

"There are times when we have to let go of the past or have it destroy us. You need to trust me Crane, and trust Po. I believe he will help to calm your mind, just like Master Shifu did once upon a time," Master Oogway answered and before finally making his way towards the palace once more, leaving Crane to sort out his thoughts.