The Furious Five and Po had just defeated Shen at Gongmen Harbor, the city was ecstatic, overjoyed from being liberated from Shen's rule. Masters Ox and Croc had invited the warriors of the Jade Palace to a feast that evening in honor of the Dragon Warrior.

Shifu and Masters Ox an Croc discussed who would replace Master Thundering Rhino, the Five gorged on the vast amount of food at the feast all except Tigress of course who restrained herself and Po. Normally Po was the first one to eat but for some reason today he just wasn't hungry. All the masters quickly noticed this but decided to not bother Po because they knew what they had just gone through was tough on everyone.

After the feast Masters Ox and Croc made sure the warriors got the best rooms at the finest inn in Gongmen, the Sacred Lotus. Po was relieved after staying awake for nearly an entire day going to bed seemed like a good idea.

Sacred Lotus Inn

Po sat on the inn bed, his feet dangling over the side. He couldn't sleep let alone relax after what had happened mere hours ago, images of the battle at Gongmen Harbor flooded his mind. Even with Inner Peace Po couldn't stop thinking about the moment Shen shot Tigress and him. Everything that happened from the sparks from his metal talons scraping the cannon to the searing heat of the blast were fresh in his head. It was at that moment Po realized how they could've been easily killed and he knew he would train as hard as he could from that point on to protect the Valley of Peace, China, the Five and Tigress.

Po quickly got off the bed and with his newfound inspiration he left the inn and started a brisk walk towards the outskirts of the city. He was going to train. Unbeknownst to him, a certain tiger was following closely behind.

"What could he possibly be doing at this time of night?" Tigress mumbled to herself, silently sticking to the shadows as to not alert Po.

Gongmen Outskirts

Po reached the edge of Gongmen after a few minutes of walking and immediately began to whack at the nearest ironwood tree, he started to think of Tigress and how close Shen came to killing her and his friends. Po began to strike at the tree harder and faster with every punch causing a small dent in the bark. He was intent to make himself stronger and faster so that whatever challenges lay ahead he would be prepared to face, he would be prepared to defend the ones he loved.

Tigress was watching closely from a distance but began to close the gap as soon as Po landed the first blow, she saw a level of determination in him that rivaled even hers and knew if he kept this up the tree or his fists were going to break.

"Po what the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Training, have to get stronger." he said with no emotion. Not even bothering to look at the feline.

Tigress knew something was wrong, Po hated to train.

"Po stop you're going to hurt yourself!"

He remained silent, bent on improving himself he unintentionally ticked off the tiger next to him.

Tigress was beginning to lose her patience, it was bad enough Po was punching an ironwood but getting ignored when she was trying to help him. she had enough and reached out to stop his fist before it connected with the trunk.

At this point Po was out of control unleashing all he had on the tree, his own mind fueling his rage. A good one inch of bark had been chipped off from Po's relentless assault. As Tigress grabbed Po's fist, much to her surprise, she couldn't stop it. The amount of energy Po was expending was incredible, Tigress could feel his chi coursing through her arm, she felt his anger.

With lightning fast reflexes Tigress used her other free arm to grab onto Po's wrist and summoned all her strength but still unable to slow the punch down.

Po's fear of hurting Tigress instantly made him snap out of his rage-like trance and stop his fist just centimeters away from the rugged tree bark.

"Tigress," Po realized what he was doing "I'm sorry."

He rested his head on the tree trying to organize his thoughts.

"Po what hell were you thinking trying to punch a tree?" She reached out and put her paw on his shoulder.

He turned so they were facing each other and looked her in the eyes, she saw how weary they were in the moonlight.

"I have to get stronger, hardcore." he said coldly.

"Po, why do you want to-"

"BECAUSE YOU COULD'VE DIED," he shouted "What if something happens and I'm not strong enough, what if I can't protect you Tigress, the Five, China? You all could've died because I wanted to know about my past, I need to be hardcore, stoic, like you."

Those words hit her harder than any punch a foe could throw at her

"Po do you know what its like to not feel anything." a hint of sadness was in her voice as she remembered what happened at Bao Gu, what she had to go through to become who she was. Tears started to well up in her eyes. "Do you know what its like to be a cold, heartless, brute monster like me that no one loves."

Po could see the pain in her eyes and instantly wished he could take it all back, he promptly embraced her.

Tigress couldn't hold it in anymore when she felt two furry arms overtake her and she began to sob into his chest, her cries muffled by his fur. All of her pent-up hurt and discomfort flowed out of her eyes. She just let it all go. It didn't matter anymore all that she cared about now was Po. That big, fat, panda. The panda that was always there for her when she needed someone to talk to, someone to train with and vent her anger, someone to lean on.

Po knew from the second he first laid his eyes on Tigress that she was the most perfect women he'd ever see, ever since he was chosen as the Dragon Warrior he wanted to tell Tigress how he felt about her but could never bring himself to do it, but now he knew this was the moment. Po lowered his head next to Tigress's ear and whispered.

"I love you."

Tigress looked up and stared into his jade eyes and did the the only thing she could do.

Kiss him.

At first Po didn't realize what was happening, he had braced himself expecting to at least get a slap but instead he felt her lips touch his.

It started off warm and loving, very gentle, but soon a simple kiss grew into a passionate battle, their lips interlocked and tongues fighting for dominance. Tigress moved her arms up his back and wrapped them around his neck while he lowered his towards her waist, pulling them closer ever so closer. After what seemed like an eternity the two kung fu warriors broke apart from one another and headed back to the inn, slowly walking hand in hand.

Back at the Inn

Po had just said goodnight to Tigress and was about to close his door when she said something he thought he would never hear.

"Uh, Po could you uhhhh-" Tigress couldn't believe she was saying this "Stay in my room tonight?" she whispered just loud enough for Po to hear.

Po felt like he was dreaming, the Master Tigress had just asked him if he could sleep with her but deciding not to take advantage of Tigress decided to grab something for a makeshift bed.

"Sure, Ti just let me grab a pillow and blanket.

"Why?"

"So I can sleep on the floor of course!"

Tigress couldn't believe it, most people would've jumped straight into bed with her.

"I meant with me, in my bed, together"

Po almost had a heart attack.

"Oh, mmmkay." He tried to make it not seem like a big deal.

Po followed Tigress into her room and jumped onto the bed with a happy purring Tigress on top of him, nuzzling into his neck.

Her breath on his fur soothed him into a relaxed state.

From that point on Po knew that the challenges that lay ahead he wouldn't have to face alone.

Soon sleep overtook them both.