"Tai Lung!" Shifu called out for his son crossly. It wasn't often he yelled out for the snow leopard like this, but he had noticed something that demanded immediate attention. Shifu waited as patiently as he could for the cub to report to him, wringing his staff in his paws. Soon enough he heard the boy's running feet approaching, but stopping at the door rather than at his side. Shifu turned to look at his son and shot him a scolding look. Tai Lung visibly winced and took one step back. He knew that look was never a good thing to receive.
"Yes baba?" The cub asked warily, holding on to his twitching tail.
Shifu exhaled and held his paws behind his back as he calmly walked over to his son. Though his walking was calm, his expression still remained strict.
"It has come to my attention that a certain cub has been seen down in the valley." Shifu raised an eyebrow as he continued speaking. "Is there something you've been keeping from me?"
The seven year old snow leopard just gulped and placed a finger on his bottom lip. He knew he would eventually get caught, but he hoped it wouldn't be this soon.
"No…I haven't been um…in the valley since…" He stuttered as he tried to think of a good lie.
"I hope, for your bottom's sake, that you aren't about to lie to me." Shifu said sternly, cutting off the boy before he could go any deeper with his lie.
Tai Lung whimpered softly and lowered his head in defeat. "Yes…I have been down in the valley."
Shifu nodded and frowned disapprovingly. "Well I am aware of that much, but what I really would like to know is why."
"I can't tell you…" Tai Lung bit his lip knowing that wasn't the answer his father wanted. It was most certainly not the answer the red panda was expecting. In fact it was the last thing the panda expected to hear.
"You cannot tell me?" Shifu questioned rather harshly.
Tai Lung held up his paws and spoke up before his father could scold him. "I am sorry that I went down there without telling you. I know I broke a rule, but Master Oogway said it would be ok…" He left out the part where the tortoise mentioned it would be ok if Shifu agreed to it too.
Shifu could sense that his son was telling the truth about Oogway. But at the same time knew his master would not go behind his back and allow his son to do something he would be against.
"Oh so Master Oogway said it would be ok for you to go hmm? Well I am surprised he did not ask if I was ok with it."
That was it; there was no way the cub could continue without getting himself in more trouble.
"Should I run laps, or train all day with no supper?" Tai Lung asked glumly.
Shifu looked at his guilty soon and sighed. He never liked seeing his son this way, but knew every child needed discipline. Parental discipline, not just the type of discipline he expected the boy to show from Kung Fu training.
"First you can tell me what you were doing in the valley. You very well know you are not allowed to go down there without me. I understand it has been a long time since we've gone there, but that doesn't excuse your disobedience."
Tai Lungs ears were flat against his head as he frowned. It wasn't that he wanted to be rude, but in his mind he had a legit reason to why he wouldn't tell his father. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."
Shifu considered chewing out the boy that moment, but he took a second to collect himself. "Very well, then I suggest you get to running those laps. Also don't expect dessert after supper for the rest of the month."
It seemed like a silly punishment, but that crushed the poor little snow leopard's spirits completely. He loved sweets and dessert was one of the few luxuries he had, other than living in a palace. After a long day of training and exercise something sweet after dinner was always something he looked forward to. He damned his sweet tooth for that.
"Yes Master…" Tai Lung bowed and soon left his master's presence.
Shifu watched his son trod off dolefully to begin his laps. He knew his son would eventually tell him why he went down to the valley, but he could be patient for now. There was no real reason to fret over it, other than the fact that he broke a strict rule. Then again maybe he did let Tai Lung off easy, but he didn't dwell on that thought too long. Despite his lingering frustration he couldn't help but smile just a little bit. With Tai Lung not able to have sweets Shifu took that as an opportunity to perhaps have seconds on dessert for the time being. He had a sweet tooth as well, but he wasn't as open about it as his son was.
The rest of the month went as expected. Tai Lung went to bed without his nightly sweets and Shifu occasionally helped himself to two servings of whatever dessert was being served. Though as the month was soon drawing to a close Shifu also noticed that his son has yet to come to him about his romp in the valley. He thought for sure Tai Lung would have told him why he was there by now. Shifu mainly just wanted to know now out of genuine curiosity. As the days went on his curiosity only seemed to grow. Shifu had a variety of thoughts on why Tai Lung was keeping secrets. Perhaps he had gotten into trouble with a local and didn't want to be punished more for it. Or maybe he met a playmate the last time he was there. That seemed likely though since he hadn't been down there since he was five. No, the cub wouldn't keep such cases like that secret. It was almost becoming unbearable; he didn't like that fact that he was allowing his son to keep secrets now.
Grunting he decided he would get to the bottom of this and made his way to his son's room. Entering the bunkhouse he could hear Tai Lung giggling over something. As he neared the door to his room Shifu could see the silhouettes of the boy's paws through the screen. It was clear that the cub was making shadow puppets. The red panda couldn't help but smile at his son's display. He almost considered sitting down quietly and secretly watch what his son was doing. Though he quickly remembered what he came there for and coughed. Tai Lung heard the cough and stopped what he was doing. He almost thought he was in trouble for making shadow puppets with his paws. Shifu soon opened the door to see the snow leopard sitting on the floor looking sheepish. The cub soon relaxed when he noticed that his father's expression was relaxed.
"Did you need something baba?" Tai Lung asked as he got to his feet and looked up curiously at his father.
Shifu remained quiet and placed a paw on his son's shoulder to lead him to the bed. "Have a seat son." Shifu instructed as he took a seat on the bed as well. Tai Lung did as he was told and waited to see what his father wanted. Kicking his feet over the edge a bit to help him relax a little more, he hoped that this was a friendly visit.
"Son, it's almost been a month since I've restricted you from having dessert I am sure you've noticed. However, I am still expecting you to tell me why you disobeyed me and went down into the valley. I've given you plenty of time to come and tell me on your own, but that doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon."
Tai Lung sighed; he was hoping his father had forgotten about that already.
"I don't see the big deal; I mean I didn't get into any trouble down there. I was polite to everyone and minded my manners like you taught me to be in public."
Shifu was glad to hear his son was at least on his best behavior, but that still didn't excuse him from what he did.
"That's not the point. You know the rules and you know how strict I am on keeping those rules. And I certainly do not want to hear that you went down to the valley without my consent ever again." Shifu's tone was stern, but he kept his voice low. "I went easy on you for breaking it, but I need you to know that I am serious about this."
Tai Lung picked at his claws wondering if he should just go ahead and spill it. This was all being blown out of proportion he thought, or at least it was getting to seem that way.
He was only in the valley briefly. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now he was just regretting it. That wasn't making him feel any better either, but he knew he had good intentions.
"I can't tell you yet…" His voice was low and timid as he kept his gaze at his feet. He wanted to say to give him a little more time, but he feared that would, perhaps, give it away.
"Tai Lung, my patience is wearing thin…" Shifu rubbed his temples to keep an oncoming headache at bay. "It's obviously something I should be concerned about if you won't tell me what it is."
Tai Lung stood up and faced his father, trying to stand firm about his decision. "You'll understand soon enough!" The snow leopard said with a little more force than he needed too. "…And then we'll have a good laugh about it heh." He chuckled softly trying to cover his authoritative tone from moments before.
Shifu did not like his son's tone one bit and his face showed it.
"Son I am not playing games with you, but I can see you are taking this as a joke." Shifu scolded standing now as well."No baba I am serious, please you have to understand." Tai Lung asserted, beginning to get a little frustrated himself.
"Tai Lung you have until the count of five to tell me what reason you had to be in the valley or so help me…" Shifu's patience was hanging by a thread now.
Tai Lung stomped his foot as he heard his father begin his count down.
"Fine!" The cub shouted in frustration. He begrudgingly went to retrieve something from under his bed. Pulling out a box from underneath, he slammed it on his bed and held back a sob.
"There, that's why I was down there!"
Shifu stared down at the box in stupefaction and then to his son. Tai Lung had tears running down his cheeks as he continued to keep his upset sobs back. The cub could sense he couldn't hold back for much longer so he ran out of the room and out of the bunkhouse. Shifu raised his hand, about to call out for him, but lowered it and clenched it into a fist. Looking back at the box on his son's bed he sighed. The box was neatly wrapped in fine paper with a red bow over it. Shifu knew what it was for and he couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty now. His birthday was in a few weeks he had totally forgotten, like he usually did. His son however, always seemed to remember and he certainly didn't forget this year. The red panda brushed his fingers over the package and sighed. Lifting his eyes he looked in the direction his son ran off in. Placing the box down onto the bed Shifu quickly sped off to catch his son. He knew Tai Lung wouldn't run away, but he still had some sense of urgency.
It didn't take long for the red panda to find his son. The Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom was usually the place one ran to when they needed to be alone. Shifu didn't approach the boy immediately; he decided to give him some space for now. Tai Lung was no longer crying, but he was sulking from the recent events. The cub sat with his knees hugged to his chest, chin resting on his kneecaps. He was fully aware that his father was only a few feet away from him. Sighing softly he closed his eyes and sniffed softly. From where he was standing Shifu couldn't see his son's cheerless expression. He didn't need too really with all the tension in the air. It was one of the few times Shifu was at a complete loss of words. He wasn't sure what to say exactly, but he knew he had to say something. The silence was almost becoming too awkward and both felt that someone needed to break the ice soon.
Clearing his throat softly Shifu took a few more steps closer to his son. "Tai Lung…" He began, but ceased when he saw the cub wince. Perhaps his tone was much harsher than it needed to be at the moment. He didn't even realize he had spoken firmly just a second ago. Not to mention that he used his name instead of calling him son like he usually did when he was being firm. Shifu sighed and rubbed his temples to compose himself before speaking again.
"Son I realize I may have overreacted earlier, but I do need to you understand why."
Tai Lung lifted his head from his knees and turned rubbed his nose. "I know baba…I know the rule and I broke it. No matter what my reason was for going down to the valley alone, I know I disobeyed you. I am sorry…I should have known better. Even if it was to get you a present…"
Shifu sighed and thought about what to say. Tai Lung deliberately broke a strict rule, no matter how innocent the intentions were. At the same time however, Shifu just wanted to forgive and forget. Was that the better choice? He knew it shouldn't be ignored lest Tai Lung make another trip knowing he could handle the consequences.
"I know your intentions were good and innocent, but I still need you to mind my rules. I have a right to be upset with you about it, and I am indeed. If you promise me right now that you will never break that rule again I will forgive you. Understand that I am going easy on you for this, but for this once I am willing to forget." Shifu spoke calmly taking a seat next to his son. "Besides I couldn't accept your gift knowing I punished you sternly for it."
Tai Lung's spirits seemed to brighten as his father spoke. His sulking certainly seemed to fade away quickly and even a small smile was visible on his muzzle.
"But disobey that rule again and I promise you that your punishment will be one you won't soon forget. Got it?" Despite the harsh warning Shifu managed to say it with a smile. Tai Lung knew to take it seriously, but he still couldn't help smiling as he nodded.
"I am sorry baba, I really am." The cub hugged his father warmly. "It is just that I overheard a messenger goose saying a certain shop was going out of business. I knew how much you liked that place so I had to go get something from there before they closed. I would have asked a servant to get it for me, but I wanted to choose it for myself. I know that is still no excuse for doing what I did, but I at least hope you understand why I didn't want to tell you what I did in the valley."
Shifu patted his son's back and smiled no longer angry over the past events. "Ah yes I have heard about that shop closing too. I did like it very much and I must say I am eager to open my present to see what it was you chose for me. I should have brought it up here with me."
Tai Lung giggled and shook his head. "Nuh uh, you have to wait until your birthday. Patience is a virtue so you say."
Shifu chuckled and shrugged casually. "Yes you are correct, I must be patient. I will do my best to wait until my birthday, cross my heart. Now let's get head back to the palace, it's getting late."
Tai Lung nodded and hopped to his feet and waited for his father to get up as well. As the red panda stood Tai Lung coyly took his father by the paw. Shifu didn't protest, but gripped his son's paw gently as they made their way back.
"So…do I at least get a clue?" Shifu asked curiously with a mischievous grin.
"Baba!" Tai Lung scolded playfully, causing both to laugh contentedly as they walked hand in hand.