Disclaimer : I do not own Kung Fu Panda

Chapter 1 : It's Classified

"Haahhh ..." He exhaled deeply, releasing all fatigue pent up in his body as he expelled his breath. "Finally, I can take a rest."

Po had just finished his kung fu class teaching his panda students. After the class ended and his students dispersed, the teacher decided that he deserved a nap for the rest of the day. At this hour, on weekdays, he used to train with the five at Training Hall. But since Shifu had appointed him a teacher, Po found himself lucky for not always requiring to be met with pointy and deadly training tools and sparring with his comrades. Not that he was lazy or his love for kung fu began to decrease. Only, sometimes there was a certain time where your times was not supposed to spend for training when your body needed a rest.

He walked through an empty corridor where all rooms were located. Students barrack seemed quiet right now. It was likely that none of his friends returned yet from Training Hall. He stretched out his body, causing a sound of cracking joint which gave him a relax sensation. Yawned, he couldn't wait to see his bed soon.

"...I can't believe that you've been ..."

"Huh?"

Po's ears perked up as he reached his door. He looked around in confused as he heard a faint voice came just a moment ago.

"...and you never ..."

His head turned to look over his shoulder, right at a door opposite to his own dorm. It seemed like Tigress had already returned from training and was now talking with someone, which he believed no other than Viper considering Tigress had her own rule that must be memorized by all her friends; No boys allowed to enter what she called her 'privacy area'.

Po just shrugged with indifference. A girls talk didn't have anything to do with his business at all. His body was getting tired and never stopped demanding for a nap. He wanted so badly to leap and land onto his cozy bed and …

"...sooner or later, Po will realize that you ..."

He almost tripped over his own feet. His body had too leant forward so that he had his hands gripped the edge of his door to avoid himself from falling.

"Did I just hear my name?" he whispered to himself. What would girls possibly discuss during girl talk? Fashion? Makeup? Their hobbies? Their embarrassing secrets? Guys they have crush on to?

His name was just mentioned. What ... what the heck are they talking about?

He tip toed and put his ears onto a paper door of Tigress' room. The voices now could be heard clearer a bit.

"...I believe he will accept it. Just tell him." It was Viper's voice encouraging her only interlocutor.

"I don't know." Tigress expressed with a slight limp. "What if he says no?"

"Po is a kind-hearted man. He will not turn you down."

"You know what he was is not the same to what he is now. He has changed a lot."

"Well, yes, he is officially our teacher now but he's still the same Po we used to know and does never change. He'll do anything for you, Tigress."

There was a pause moment. Outside, Po was still waiting impatiently with curiosity written all over his face.

"You're right." Finally Tigress talked again. "I guess I can't just keep staying here forever." There was a small gulping sound. "I'll take your advice into consideration. I just need ... a right time to speak with him. Please, don't let anyone know yet, especially Po."

My goodness! They're really talking about me. I can't miss it.

"You have my word. I wish you good luck."

"Thank you, Viper."

There was a sound of footsteps approaching the door from inside. They both would come out soon. With panic, the panda left his spot in a hurry, causing a thud and creaky sound as his feet trod the wooden floor.

"You heard something?" Tigress asked as she pushed open her double doors. A frown formed between her eyebrows as she scanned the deserted corridor of the dorm.

"I'm not sure," replied Viper as she followed Tigress.

Po's door was slightly open. Through its crack, they could see that his room was empty. The only one who could create that footsteps must be a legged creature. Last time they checked, Master Shifu was still meditating by giant statue of the late grandmaster Oogway. They doubted if Crane's skinny leg would be able to cause any sound as he walked. Mantis? Forget it. And Po? He might hadn't returned yet from his class.

"Maybe it's Monkey."

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~0~0~HinAS~0~0~

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"What do you think about what they said?"

After accidentally overhearing a short talk the girls had, Po started a private confab with Crane, Mantis and Monkey at Training Hall courtyard.

"Hm ..." Monkey rubbed his chin and mumbled. "something you'll understand ...something you won't refuse ..."

"And she was also afraid that I would say no." Po added.

"Hmmm ..."

The four boys were deep in thought, trying to put every pieces into a complete jigsaw puzzle.

"Isn't it obvious?" said Mantis after thinking for three minutes in silence. The others laid their eyes on him with their questioning look. "Tigress likes you."

"What!?" Po's sudden yell had his friends covered their ears. An incredible shock on his face, as if it was hard to believe. "N-no ...way." Then slowly his expression melted into a mix of a doubt and a slight of an expectation. "Really?"

"Based on to what she said I caught on; yes. She wanted to confess her feeling to you but was too shy. Don't tell me you have no idea on what most girls talk in the absence of guys."

"But Tigress never shows any interest in anybody," Crane disproved. "especially someone like –" His wing was about to aim at Po as the avian took a glance at the gaze filled with insult from the said panda. "Er ...younger than her."

"Are you kidding? Anybody may fall in love with the Dragon Warrior," argued Mantis. "Moreover now he is the official true successor of Grand Master Oogway. Who wouldn't fall for someone with a bright future ahead."

"That reasoning makes sense."

Monkey turned to Po. "Why didn't you just ask her directly?"

Mantis put his hands on hip in a knowledgeable manner. "You crazy?! Most girls won't let their dignity and pride get damaged. Certainly, she will denied it shortly once he asks her."

"But she'll tell you someday, right?" asked Crane. "when the time comes."

Po ruffled his hair in frustration. "Argh! I can't wait! It could be tomorrow or next week or next month or next year ... it may take forever!"

"Or now." Monkey gestured to someone approaching them. "You can just ask confirmation from one of the reliable sources."

A familiar snake was seen slithering towards them. The boys got up and acted like nothing happened.

"There you are," said Viper. "Master Shifu orders us to go down the village to supervise the preparation of the Moon Festival."

"Ah ... right," Crane muttered as he imaged how the festival used to look like. "It's coming tomorrow night."

The Moon Festival was one of annual festivals held in The Valley of Peace. They usually celebrated it with some kind of entertainments in the form of acrobatics and dancing in pairs. There was a myth which was said that if unmarried couple performed the loveliest dance under the bright shine of the full moon, then the Goddess of the moon would bless them and their love would always remain forever. No less than dozens of lovers didn't waste this precious moment to present the Goddess their beautiful dance in a perfect harmony with their beloved.

But there was a bit difference to this year's festival, namely the number of attendees that would join in the festival. Usually, only native inhabitants who would attend. Now, with some new immigrants settled here, the festival would be more crowded than it used to be. The preparation of great amount of food supply was one of their major priority.

"Tigress is already down there. We better catch up with her soon."

As Viper was about to turn around, Monkey nudged Po in the elbow, motioning him to ask Viper right away.

"Viper." The panda addressed her, stepping forward and blocked her way. "Can you spare some time for me?"

Viper eyed him inquiringly.

"Well," the panda scratched the back of his neck. "I just wonder ...about ...you know, your conversation this morning ...with Tigress." He mentioned 'tigress' with the lowest tone he had ever used, but that was enough for Viper to make out.

"Hold a second! You eavesdropped on our talk?!" she disapproved. An annoyance was clearly pictured on her face.

"Hey, there's a difference between eavesdrop and overhear. Don't blame me because your voice was loud enough to hear by someone who was happening to be near your room." Po defended.

Viper sighed in an forgiving manner. Maybe that was right. Po did not intend to eavesdropped at all. He just happened to hear them.

"That's what I will never tell you," she said wryly. "I've promised Tigress not to let on about it to anyone."

"Oh, come on, Viper!" Po begged almost in a desperate way. "Just let me know. I won't tell Tigress that you told me. Instead, I'll pretend as if I haven't known at all."

The snake licked her upper lips in hesitancy. Promise is a promise and she would never betray her friend's trust in her. "I ... can't. Sorry, Po."

Po growled. "Please..." The panda even bothered to kneel down. If Viper really didn't want to tell him, then either it would be because the vow she made with Tigress or it would be too 'dangerous' if their secret leaked out. He usually never cared about someone else's issue. But when that issue involved himself, then it became his business.

"Tigress will tell you herself when the time is right."

"I said so," Crane told her.

The panda rolled over onto the dirt and laid down on his back. "Man! If I die before I know more about this secret and become a ghost, I swear I'll frighten you to death."

A strong lash landed onto Po's flabby upper arm. Viper sent him a death glare, something she never did before. "Then let's see how you'll haunt me!" she challenged. With a grunt, she turned away and left that place without looking back at her friends.

Po rubbed his sore arm as he watched the annoyed Viper go.

Crane helped him get to his feet. "It seems like there's no other way. You have to wait until Tigress herself tells you."

"But I can't hold this curiosity anymore!" The panda nagged. If only he had never listened to their chat ... if only they had never mentioned his name at all back then …

And if only Mantis had never stated about the possibility of him being Tigress' secret crush.

Does she really like him? It's a mystery. But if yes, then this is a big surprising news for everyone, including for himself.

"Looks like you won't go easy on me, right?" He smirked confidently. "Alright then," He set a kung fu pose. "I accept your challenge."

Monkey squinted. "Er ... buddy, what are you gonna do?"

"If Tigress will never spit out her secret ... well, yet. Then I myself will make her confess straight to me in no time!" he changed his pose. "Stealth mode." Crept downstair, he followed Viper down the village.

The three other kung fu masters stood there with mouth wide open.

"Do you think Tigress really has a crush on Po?" Crane asked Mantis for an opinion.

The bug shrugged. "Maybe. It's just my speculation, though. He just took it too seriously."

"You sort of pushed him to believe that it's true." Monkey shook his head, pitying the panda. "And he's already too big-headed."

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~0~0~HinAS~0~0~

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Po ran slinking descending the stairs, trying his best not to make any sound or anything every time his feet stepped across the steps. His gaze focused on Viper. As they reached the village, dozens of citizens were seen busy with all the arrangement for the Moon Festival. Some pigs and geese were cooperating with the decorating. Many lanterns were set hung up on poles, arranged in a row along the roadside. Some bunnies were setting up tents with the help of tall goats. At the end of the bridge, some pandas, which were now the new residents of the Valley of Peace, were preparing food for the workers.

Po saw Viper having a chat with a male brown bunny. He couldn't hear what they were talking about as their distance was beyond earshot. Not long after that, Viper proceeded with the keeping track of the preparation.

The snake came to a halt as she arrived at the biggest tent with busy and noisy female pandas having a fitting for festival dress underneath it. To his surprise, Tigress was there too, talking with Mei Mei. The moment they were aware of Viper's arrival, Mei Mei waved good bye to Tigress and walked away leaving the tent with Viper to somewhere place. Then Tigress continued with her work helping female pandas prepare several sheets of silk fabrics. Her back was facing Po.

Po breathed deeply to compose himself. He had made up his mind. With steady steps, he walked to where the tigress was at.

And almost bumped into her when Tigress suddenly turned around.

"Oh, Po?" Tigress didn't seem to be surprised at his sudden presence. Her hands were carrying a pile of folded materials in various colors. "What a coincidence. Can you replace me help them for a while? I have to go to a dressmaker now."

"Uh ...s-sure," he said nervously. When Tigress was about to walk past him, Po already called him.

"Tigress, wait. I need to talk to you ... in private."

The tigress stopped for a moment to respond. "Not now. I'm in a hurry."

Not now can be never.

"Just for a minute."

There was a desperate sigh. "Po, can't you just wait? We're all busy here."

Tigress proceeded. Po pursued, aligning himself with the tigress.

"Hey, I just wonder with what you've talked about with Viper this morning."

It wouldn't take long time for Tigress to get to the point. Her eyes widened in shock instantly. Expression morphed into a mask of rage.

"You eavesdropped, didn't you?!" She accused, almost yelled with the same reaction like Viper. "That footsteps I heard must belonged to you!"

Po stepped backwards. "I—it's just an accident."

"You should've known that eavesdropping on girl talk is strictly forbidden for men!"

"W-well, yeah ..." For a moment, a thought of apologizing crossed his mind, but another thought came into him. It was not his fault that his ears worked very well when she discussed with Viper.

"What a shame!" she fumed, feeling a bit embarrassed. The fact that Po was trying to discover a secret related to Po which Tigress kept had already made her get red in the face. There was no way she would reveal it.

"You will hear no more of it," she told him firmly in a cold manner. "I've decided to forget all what I've said this morning and you should have to."

"Aaawww ...why?" he whined. "I want to know so badl –"

"Po!"

Po closed his mouth immediately. Tigress gave him her piercing gaze, making Po shudder and his feet shiver.

"Get back to work!" she commanded. As Po intended to open his mouth, she already silenced him. "No! No more word!"

Po watched her go in disappointment. He bowed his head gloomily. Maybe it was a stupid action. Letting Tigress know that he knew a little bit about the secret she had must be mortifying for Tigress.

And now, judging from what Tigress had told him, apparently he would never know that secret more than what he had already known so far ... forever.

Maybe he should bury his curiosity deep in the ground and took his mind off the mystery.
.

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But what if Mantis was right?
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"Well, girls will never share their secrets except to their mostly trusted friends."

Po was taken by surprised. Mei Mei was already beside him all of a sudden. "H-how did you – you and Viper were just –"

"I forgot my ribbon and just happened to hear you two babbled like an old couple married."

"H-hear what?" Po asked, feigning ignorance.

"Oh, Po," Mei Mei gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder with her fan. "Don't be bashful about it."

"Well, yeah ...I've just ...tried to ... dig up ...something and -"

"Shhh ..." Mei Mei placed her index finger to Po's lips, stopping him from finishing his sentence as if she already knew about what he would say. Then she leant closer to Po's face, making the Dragon Warrior jittery. "I'll get straight to the point; that was a bad move to get a girl."

"Oh, seriously?" Po pushed aside her fan as he pulled away. Indeed, this girl was talking absolute nonsense. "I was not trying to tease her! I was just kind of ...insisting her to tell her secret to me. That's all."

Mei Mei waved her hand. "Come on, Po. Just be honest. Maybe I can help," she winked flirtatiously.

For a split second, Po doubted if he should tell this to Mei Mei. She was not the wisest person he had ever met and he thought that there was no point of telling her. It would be better if he just shut up and tried to find out the hidden truth Tigress kept all by himself.

But, who knows, as a fellow girl, maybe she knew the way most girls think and thus she might be able to assist him.

"Long story short, I heard Tigress talked about me secretly with Viper. You know, there were some words like '...I can't believe that you've been ...' and this ones '...and you never ...' there's also this sentence, 'Po is a kind-hearted man'. Argh! Those words keep bugging my head." He placed his paws on head peevishly. "My friends told me that she might be a sort of my secret admirer. I've asked her for explanation but she refused." Po covered his face with a sigh. "What am I gonna do?"

Mei Mei put her paw on Po's shoulder. "Then that's a crucial mistake you just made. No girl would ever share her secret to a man even if you're her closet friend. There are some certain sensitive things a girl would not tell unless you're her female trusted friend."

An imaginary bulb popped up above Po's head. Female only. That's the key word. "That's it! I can do something before the festival ends. Now can I ask you to-"

"If you want to ask me out to be your dance partner, the answer is no. Sorry, Po, but I am already taken."

"Not that!"

"Oh, so?"

He went inside the tent which Tigress asked him to look after and came back to Mei Mei with a pink silk dress with long sleeves. "I'll explain the detail later. But first, I ask your help to make me a woman."

"Why would you want to be a –-" then a realization occurred to her. "Ahh ... are you going to –"

"Please, please, please don't tell anyone ..." Po pleaded as he put his paws together. "You're the only one I can count on for now."

Mei Mei smiled sweetly. She cupped his chubby face gently. "Anything for a handsome panda."