A Month

Don't own Kung Fu Panda

Day 1: Sunday


"A MONTH! A WHOLE MONTH!" Tigress shouted. Master Shifu shook his head. This was hard for the warriors to understand, but Shifu was trying to explain it the best he could.

"I know that you are all shocked, but this is needed so that the masters can be safe and secured; in order not to have another incident like Shen did," Master Shifu replied.

"I understand the masters must come to the Palace," Po relayed, "I also understand that the new Kung Fu act says that we have to give them our rooms and house them. I have no problem with that. I'm even okay with them fighting here. But I don't understand why WE have to take a whole month off, especially me, the Dragon Warrior."

"I know this is confusing, but you must trust me on this one. A month's rest will do you good," Master Shifu replied.

"I understand that. But I'm the Dragon Warrior who's just learn his Kung Fu. I'm not complaining about the rest, I'm just wondering why it's so long," Po said. Shifu sighed. It was tough to explain why he had to do this for Po. This month would help him train in some way. Shifu just didn't know how. The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior would have the not day, not week, not two weeks, but the whole month to themselves. The Masters' Council of Kung Fu had made a decree that for a time in the year, masters would rotate and/or protect the people in the new local land. The thing was the Furious Five and Po were suppose to be switched out to go to another place. They were making them a paid leave. It was very unusual which is why they were all arguing about. But Shifu replied.

"I know this confuses you, but look on the bright side: you all will be able to rest and have some peace and quiet from each other. You can still train without the use of the Training Hall and my help. You can also help the masters when trouble arises. Why don't you all go home for the month or have a vacation and relax? Don't worry about everything," Shifu said as he walked away. So that's how they left. A confused band of heroes left the Jade Palace for a month. As they descended the stairs, they talked and talked about what they would do.

"I'm going to my parents' house. They haven't seen me in a while. Plus, I was hoping to bring them here and show them around a bit," Viper spoke.

"That's nice. I'm going to stay over with my brother," Monkey said. Everyone stopped and stared at Monkey. "The OTHER one." That eased their worry.

"I'm going to live it up at the resort that I've booked. Thank you paid vacation," Mantis cheered.

"Haha, well, I'm going to see my mother and see if she's okay. We all should be back in a week so it won't be that bad," Crane mentioned.

"What about you Tigress?" Viper asked the pouting tiger.

"I don't even know where I'm going to stay for the night," Tigress stated.

"My dad has some room at our place. You can stay with us. And don't worry, you won't hear the snoring from my room," Po said making everyone stop again, "What?"

"You're letting Tigress sleep in your bed?" Mantis said as Tigress's eyes were wide open and had a burning sensation in her cheeks.

"I'll sleep somewhere else," Po replied. That eased Tigress's thoughts.

"Where?" Viper asked.

"We have plenty of room in the kitchen, don't worry about me," Po said chuckling about how they were making a small situation big.

"Po, I couldn't do that. I'll just find somewhere else to sleep or camp outside," Tigress argued, but Po was persistent.

"No no, I insist. I'll be working most of the time and doing errands while you could practice and train in the forest. You won't even have to do deal with me," Po said. Seeing that Po wasn't going to ease up, Tigress nodded and agreed to it.

"So what will you be doing Po?" Viper asked.

"It's probably going to be a very boring month. I'll be working at my dad's shop and doing other things. Who knows what will happens?" Po shrugged.

"Well, when we come back," Crane said as they came to the bottom of the mountain, "We'll get together and do something. We promise!"

"Okay, see you guys," Po said waving good-bye to the others. Tigress and Po went into Mr. Ping's shop where he was no where to be found.

"Where is your father, Po?" Tigress asked.

"Oh, he's out on an errand. The shop's closed for about two days until he gets back. In the meanwhile I have to get some things for the shop, too," Po sighed. It seemed like Po was very busy. Tigress was amazed at how the panda was able to do all the stuff he did. As they reached Po's room, Tigress noticed that Po's room was cleaned up and all the posters and dolls were gone. "My dad cleaned my room and gave some of my stuff to me since I'm living at the Jade Palace."

"Um...thanks Po for letting my stay here. Are you sure that your dad's okay with guests sleeping here?" Tigress questioned. Po waved it away.

"Please, dad's always taking in guests. One that's my friend won't make a big difference," Po smiled, "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." When he descended down the stairs, Tigress sat in her bed thinking. This situation was just all confusing and nerve-wrecking. Away from the palace for a month, not being able to train with Master Shifu, and having somebody else do her work was something that Tigress was not use to all at the same time. And then staying with Po would be a real interesting situation. Sure she lived with him, but she never saw how he was truly like in the valley. She guessed it was pretty much the same panda, but it was still something that intrigued her, even though she didn't show it. A whole month with no training or problems. It was going to be a very interesting thirty days.

To be continued