This is (hopefully) the start of a series of drabbles, where the main pairing is Shifu/Po (Po/Shifu). Since school is keeping me quite busy at this time, these drabbles may be far between or many at once. RL sucks! These drabbles will be un-betad, unless someone offers to beta them. Enjoy!
BTW, this drabble takes part when Oogway finds Po eating peaches. I changed the scene a bit.
"I think you made a mistake, Master. I can't be the Dragon Warrior."
Oogway looked at the panda in front of him, trying to convince him that his decision was faulty.
"Oh? And why is that, Po?"
Po looked inrediculous. "Are you kidding, Master? Look at me!"
The large panda gestured to himself. Oogway looked carefully at the body of the black and white mass of fur.
"Yes, I see a healthy, young panda, with two working legs and arms, and a healthy coat of fur. I see nothing wrong."
Po sighed. "Master Oogway, you can't be serious. I'm a panda! A big, fat panda! I can't learn kung fu! I can't even make it up the stairs without stopping and rest periodically!"
The panda turned away from the ancient master and sat down at the edge of the cliff, his back facing the old peach tree. Oogways eyes softened as he looked upon the disheartened panda. He made his way over to stand beside him.
"Po, why don't you tell me about you childhood?"
The panda looked like he'd rather spend a week without eating anything. "What for? It's nothing unusual."
"When you get to be my age, my boy, you enjoy listening to stories of youthfulness. I would be very happy if I were allowed to hear your story, Po."
The panda looked uncomfortable, and several minutes were spent in silence before he heaved a large sigh and begun.
"Well, my first memories are of watching my dad cook noodles in our shop. He'd feed me bits sometimes, it was always delicious. He's a very good cook, you should come down and try his special ingredient soup sometime, it's his pride and joy."
Oogway smiled. "I will endevour to do so. Now Po, please continue telling me of your story, not your fathers."
The panda smiled sheepishly. It didn't take a genius to see that he adored his father.
"Well, before I started school, I spent most of my time inside the shop, learning the names of ingredients and simple recipes, you know, stuff that didn't need to be cooked, ´cause I was too little to use the stove.
Then I started school, which was ok, I guess, though they didn't teach anything cool like kung fu history or something, only stuff like reading and writing. After school I would go home and help dad in the shop, the afternoon rush was always tiring him out."
The old master noticed that the panda hadn't mentioned any friends or playing. He had also noticed his student hiding behind the tree, listening quietly to the conversation.
"What would you do when you didn't help you father, Po?"
The panda thought briefly.
"Well, I collected action figures of the Five and read up on kung fu history and explanation of different kung fu styled and moves. And then I began training them by myself, in front of the shop, before we opened. And of course, before I got too big."
"Hmm. And what about your friends? What did you do together with your classmates?"
Po shifted nervously. Oogway could see he was uncomfortable.
"Well, you see, I didn't have many friends growing up, being different and all. I mean, I'm the only panda in the valley, and I was always larger than everyone else my age. The kids always avoided me, I think they were afraid I'd sit on them on accident. I was kind of clumsy when I was younger."
"So, you spent your entire childhood alone?" Oogway was not surprised by this, but saddened.
"I don't blame the other kids, I was the odd guy out, growing up here. But I had my dad, and now I have kung fu and you guys. So life turned out ok anyway."
Oogway nodded. "I suppose so. So you like it here in the palace?"
Po nodded. "Yeah, it's awesome! I learn so much new stuff it's crazy!"
"And how are you being treated by the other residents here?"
Oogway was very aware of the Five's contempt of the Dragon Warrior, and of his own students rejection of the young panda.
"Oh, well, ok I guess."
Oogways eyebrow rose. "Ok?"
"Master, I know they don't want me here, and I know Master Shifu hates me too. But it's ok, I would hate me too if I was them. I mean, imagine getting a fat panda to train instead of any one of the Five.
Oogway sighed. "A turtle trying to train someone was the laughing stock of the valley in the beginning, but it turned out alright, didn't it, Po?"
The pandas eyes shifted to the old master. "Yes, but Master Oogway, even this valley have heard of other turtles knowing kung fu. I haven't ever heard a single story, true or false, that tells of a panda doing kung fu."
"There is always a first, Po. It will only get easier and better with time and training. Now, young Po, I believe it's time for you to sleep, training begins early tomorrow morning."
The panda rose from his position with considerable effort before stretching, and bowed respectfully to the before the ancient master. He turned and made his way slowly toward the sleeping quarters. The old master watched him go with an odd feeling of sadness and tenderness seeping through him.
"He does not feel worthy of this, Shifu, and you have treated him poorly since his arrival, both you and your students."
The red panda stepped forward, his ears drooping. "Master Oogway, I didn't realize the situation was like this."
The turtle sighed, suddenly feeling very every one of his many years. "Shifu, when was the last time you saw a panda in this vicinity of the country? Po has been raised here, always being the biggest and clumsiest of his peers, and always trying to fit in."
"But he's always so carefree, never taking anything seriously and making a fool of himself. I can't believe it."
"Shifu, do you not see that as the defense tactic as it is? If you can't get them to laugh with you, get them to laugh at you instead. But he knows that the feeling of companionship only lasts as long as the jokes and antics keep the others amused. When the laughter fades, so does the friendship."
Shifu sighed. "He is deeply troubled. More so than I thought possible. I doubt I can train him like I trained the others. I need to meditate. I bid you good night master."
The red panda bowed and then made his way to his favorite meditation spot.
Hope you liked it!