Disclaimer: I do not own any Kung Fu Panda Characters
Only the Heart Can Choose
Chapter 1: Wanting a Family
Love, is a strange thing and makes people do even stranger things. For love wars are fight and people battle dragons or fight evil beings. Some go to the Spirit World to reclaim their love. People write many songs and books about love. Others search for years to find love and never get it. They say true love doesn't exist but to one panda he will never stop searching.
It was another usual day at the Jade Palace. Monkey and Mantis were sparring. Viper and Crane had begun to mediate and Tigress was hitting the wooden dummies. Shifu gave me the day off but the Five still trained a bit for after almost dying in Gongmen City they thought a little extra training was in order. Except for Po, he was down in the village gathering supplies for his family to eat dinner. Yet, today something was wrong with him.
Ever since he returned from Gongmen City, it was like his perspective on his life changed. When he was a kid all he needed was his dad and a place to live. Then he became the Dragon Warrior and the Five along with Shifu became his family and they plus his dad was all he needed. But now almost dying not once but twice in Gongmen City and finding out he may be the only panda around. Po began to feel sad and for once he thought about his future.
Looking over at the radishes he caught sight of a little pig child playing with his sister. Then he saw a mother pig holding a baby and watching her kids play. Soon a male pig came home and the children all shrieked "Daddy is home!" and rushed to greet him. The father kissed his wife and children and they went on inside their house. A tear fell from Po's face as he saw the family of pigs. I wish I had that, he thought sadly.
One of his dreams was to be a Kung Fu Master. He did that and saved China many times. But he never wondered what would happen when he became too old to be the Dragon Warrior. He knew the five would eventually go their separate ways in life but what awaited his future. Po knew he wanted to find a mate and have kids of his own. To build a house and make a living and not fight bandits forever, he loved being the Dragon Warrior but he wanted a family more. "I think it is time I find a mate," Po said. Gathering up his supplies he headed back to the palace.
"Hey guys, Po is back," Monkey said when he saw Po come in with the supplies.
"Hey Po, what did you buy?" Mantis asked. His stomach was rumbling wondering what Po would make for dinner.
"Just the usual radishes, spices, and other stuff," Po said.
"Are you going to make your dumplings Po?" Crane asked casually.
"Um sure," Po said. Viper looked over at him with a worried look.
"Po, are you okay?" she asked gently.
"Huh, oh yeah Viper just a bit tired you know me and stairs," he said cracking a smile. "Anyways I need to get this stuff into the kitchen," Po said. He left them but in the shadows Tigress saw Po's smile fall and wondered what was really bothering him. During dinner everyone was eating and chatting away everyone except for Po that is.
The normal Po would be making jokes or saying some funny story that happened in the village. But today he was silent and Tigress whispered, "Po, you okay?" She knew something was bothering him for ever since they returned from Gongmen City he had been acting strange. He would often be at the Peach Tree or just stare at the Pool of Sacred tears for hours. Po looked at her and the rest as they all noticed his silence.
Closing his eyes he began to speak," No Tigress I am not okay. I am honored to be the Dragon Warrior and I am even more honored that I have you guys in my life. But I have been thinking and I think it is time for me to step down as Dragon Warrior," Everyone was shocked as Tigress broke her chopsticks and Mantis fell off the table.
"Panda, I mean Po why do you wish to step down as Dragon Warrior?" Shifu asked. He like the others were shocked by Po's words and wanted to know the core reason as to what brought it on.
"Master I wish to have a family," Po began but was cut off by Tigress.
"A family, what are we chopped dumplings? Why do you want to leave us did we do something wrong? Fighting off bandits getting boring for you?" she asked masking her pain with anger.
"Ti, please I didn't mean it like that. I love each and every one of you and you are my family. You guys did nothing wrong but I want to find a mate and have kids. I know it sounds silly but I think I done everything I was meant to do as Dragon Warrior. I defeated Tai-Lung and defeated Shen saving all of China. In my mind I have done what I set out to do. And now I wish to retire," Po said calmly.
"What do you mean there is nothing else you need to do? We need you Po; you can't just leave us like this!" Tigress growled tears threatening to flow.
"Ti, I am not leaving forever I will stay on as your cook. You will still have me I just won't be Dragon Warrior anymore. If it makes you feel better I was planning on giving the title to you," Po said. "At least I hope I can do that," Po said looking at Shifu.
"It is allowed," Shifu said politely.
"I don't want the title! I want you to be the Dragon Warrior and I don't want you to leave!" Tigress shouted. The tears fell and she ran away for anyone could see them.
"Tigress!" Po shouted wanted to go after her instead Viper slithered in front of him.
"Let me go talk to her Po," Viper said.
"I didn't mean to make her upset, I just wanted to find love," Po said feeling bad he ever mentioned it.
"Don't feel bad Po, Tigress just needs some time to get used to the idea," Shifu said.
"Yeah good luck finding a mate Po, bet you will have to beat the girls of with a stick," Mantis said.
"Find someone who has a sense of humor," Monkey said.
"Just find someone who loves you," Crane said. Po nodded and sent a note to the local matchmaker to make an appointment.
Tigress was in her room crying. "Stupid panda how dare him wanting to leave us. After everything we been through suddenly now he wants to quit being Dragon Warrior," Tigress muttered angrily.
"Tigress, may I come in?" asked Viper. Tigress remained silent and Viper took a chance and went in. "So, mind telling me why you are so angry?" she asked.
"Po is leaving us why shouldn't I be angry?" Tigress asked looking away from her.
"He isn't leaving us Tigress, he just wants to find a mate and have a family," Viper said.
"And since when did we stop becoming his family? He loved being Dragon Warrior and suddenly he is leaving us to marry some girl that will take him away," Tigress growled.
"Why are you so upset Tigress, don't you want Po to find happiness?" Viper asked sensing Tigress's anger was deeper than she was letting on.
"Of course I want him to be happy but I thought he was happy. Getting to train with us, going on missions, and saving China what more could he want?" Tigress asked.
"A wife and kids doesn't sound like a bad thing Tigress. Po has a point someday the rest of us won't be the Furious Five forever. I want to have a husband and child of my own. I don't want to be a Kung Fu Master forever," Viper said. Tigress gave Viper a shocked face like she couldn't believe what Viper was saying.
"Kung Fu is our lives why should we change that?" Tigress asked.
"Tigress, in all honesty do you really see yourself as an old Kung Fu Master with no husband or kids in the future?" Viper asked.
"As long as I still have you guys and Po then yes," Tigress said stubbornly.
"Well you do know no one is immortal and I am sorry Tigress but things do change. Remember before we had Po and how we are now. He changed us for the better so maybe him finding a mate could be a good change too," Viper said.
"I don't want to lose him Viper, I almost lost him twice in Gongmen City and now I may lose him again," Tigress said shedding tears.
"You won't lose him Tigress; Po will always find a way to be there for us. Now please try and be happy for him for he will need our support more than ever," Viper said. Then with a bow she left Tigress's room. Tigress turned away shedding tears. She wasn't angry that Po wanted to find a mate. She was angry that he would marry someone else and leave her. For the truth was Tigress was in love with Po but she was too scared to tell him. Maybe he wouldn't find a mate but maybe he would and that scared Tigress more than anything.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. A special thanks to KungFuPandaFanatic for helping me with the title.