Dairy

Shifu took out a scroll, and took out his brush. A small cup of water rested on his table, to wash off the old ink on his brush. And ink pallet rested next to his hand. The red panda dipped the tip of the brush in the ink, and began to write:

Yesterday, Tigress and I kissed again. It was wonderful, and I love her so. And tonight, we sat under The Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, talking about anything that blew across our minds. We would hold hands, and she would kiss me. I really love it when she plays with my ears. My ears seem to be her favorite part of me, besides my tail. She would wrap her arms around me, and kiss my ear-tips and shoulders. Tigress also lets her paws trail down my spine, I love that. It feels wonderful.

Shifu sighed, and rubbed his arm. He continued:

But, something still bothers me. Every single day, I look at my face, I am aged. I am forty years older than her, and I'm ashamed of that. I look at Tigress, and I see a lovely—no, beautiful—tiger, a smart and caring young woman. And I am an old man. It surprises me that she would even consider me. I would think that she would take a younger man—a much, much younger man.

Sometimes I do wish that I could become a younger man. A tiger, perhaps. A tall, strong, and young male tiger . . . I would love to become a tiger, for her. At least I can hold her, without her bending down to do so. So it would be easier to kiss her lips, without her sitting down to do so. My Gods, I wish I could change a lot of things, but I can't.

Shifu looked out the window. It was night; the moon was full and hung low in the sky. He placed the brush down momentarily, before picking it up. Shifu wrote:

And what if we married—I'm not saying that we are—what would the others think? I can just imagine: "Wow, Master's robbing the cradle!" "Boy, he's pretty old for her." And the Villagers? I can only imagine. And what if we have children—again, I'm not saying we are—what would they look like? Would the other children make fun of them because they're "different?"

I will always love her, and I'll never abandon her. I'll still desire her, I'll still hold her, kiss her. Perhaps, even, bring our relationship to the next level? I don't know. And what would happen if I was to die in my sleep? How would she react? I guess none of that matters. I have her, she has me, and we have each other. And that is what really matters.

Shifu washed his brush. He dried it and put it away. The aged red panda rolled up the scroll, placing it in one of his desk drawers. He got up and went to Tigress's room. The candle light was out. Shifu silently opened the doors, and saw her sleeping form. Shifu closed the doors, and curled up next to her. Surprised by the extra warmth, Tigress awoke to see her love.

"Shifu?" she murmured.

He brought his finger to her lips, silencing her. "Hush, my love," he whispered. "Go back to sleep."

She smiled, and kissed his forehead. "You woke me up," she whispered. "I can't go back to sleep now."

Shifu chuckled. "Then what do you purpose to do?" he asked.

Tigress smiled, and kissed him lovingly. She started to untie his robe. Shifu was slightly surprised by her action. He pulled away from the lip-lock. "A-are you sure?" he asked, stuttering.

Tigress nodded, surely. "Yes, I love you, and I am ready. I've been waiting for this for a while, I've been wanting for this for a while. I am ready."

Shifu smiled weakly. He kissed her under her chin. She moved to his stomach that was uncovered, and kissed him. Well, I guess she really loves me. He smiled and kissed her passionately.