Chapter 1

Valley of Peace, Present…

A great deal has changed for the people of the Valley of Peace. Following the announcement of the Dragon Warrior, Tai Lung's family came to join him shortly after Shifu welcomed the snow leopard back to the Jade Palace. Mea opened a clothing shop and Lilly went to work for Mr. Ping in the noodle shop. It took the people a while to fully welcome the snow leopards to the valley, but with Po's and the Five's help they were able to smooth things over.

Tai Lung moved back into the student barrack. Like everyone else he had grown to love Po's cooking often rushing off to the kitchen to get first helping. Monkey and Mantis would joke several times at how the snow leopard could end losing his tight figure if he kept eating the panda's noodle soup.

Po still had trouble leaving the Jade Palace to go on mission to protect the valley or deal with random bandits. He was often seen skulking through the streets of the valley behind the Furious Five wearing his oversize robe. On the battle field was a completely story, as he fought with the strength and skill unmatched by any known warrior. Bandits quickly learned to steer clear of the valley.

His relationship with Tigress was in full bloom. They would often spend the wee waking hours of the morning in the folds of each other arms enjoying their tender embrace. The love they held for each other brought out a new side to them. Tigress would be seen smiling brightly sometimes freaking poor Crane with display of dancing across the court yard by herself causing the avian's beak to fall. Po and Monkey began what most have come to call the first ever "Prank War" constantly trying to outwit the other, most of the time Monkey won, though Po would always get back at him. Toward the end, Shifu was forced to step in put a stop to it with an outlandish prank of his own though ended in the whole palace to be clean from top to bottom and Po and Monkey's fur being died pink. At the sight of her panda in such a state brought Tigress to her knees laughing.

Now after a solid year, Po found a measure of peace with the woman he loves, and yet, there moments in the dead of night where he recalls the death of his mother and the horror he felt upon seeing his old home in ruin, and each time he wakes in the gentle embrace of Tigress, he fears that one day something would happen to shatter everything he worked so hard to achieve.

Shifu's POV

Student Barracks

Shifu, Grandmaster of the Jade Palace, stood at the far end of the hallway in the student barracks. He took a quick glance to the side noticing the gentle rise of the sun. The palace staff should be ringing the gong right about—

His train of thought was broken when loud boom sound echoed in the distance. The red panda smile as the doors opened and the seven warriors quickly appeared hands held behind their back, standing at perfect attention greeting their teacher with their customary morning call.

"Greeting Master."

Shifu's eyes darted to the left, his smile turning into a frown, eyes narrow and his ears twitched. He had not done such a thing in a long time, and the whole sensation left him a little unnerved, but no more than what he saw before him.

"PANDA!"

Po's POV

"What's wrong Master Shifu," Po said, "I woke up on time didn't I?"

"Yes you did," Shifu said in a harsh tone, "but I believe I have made it clear that there are rules in the Jade Palace, and one of them is that students are not allowed to form lasting relationships, now I have accept that you and Tigress care for one another, but what I cannot permit is the two of you SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED CHAMBER!"

Po was confused for a moment until he looked across the hall realizing that the door to his room was still closed. Looking to the right, he was shocked to see he was standing next to Tigress. She looked straight ahead, though her lips pulled back into a smile and there a slight pink hue to her cheeks.

"Tigress!" Po snapped. "Why didn't you wake me up? We had a deal."

"Ah but you looked so cute when you're asleep," she said then lowered her voice to a soft whisper leaning closer to the panda, "and so sexy," she added with a wink, then raised her voice for all to hear, "and well I just couldn't bring myself to wake you up."

Po shot a glance back to Shifu, expecting him to plow his tiny little fist into his face. He then jumped across the hall to stand before his room and said hasty. "I'm sorry Master Shifu, it will not happen again."

"See that it doesn't," Shifu said rolling his eyes, causing the others to giggle. "Now then please being your training, afterwards you are free to have breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day until your next session."

"Uh, I'm going to have to pass father," Tai Lung said in a cheerful voice, "I promised Mea I help her unload the monthly supplies."

"Ooo," Viper said eyeing the hulking snow leopard, "do you think I get some new scarves?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"Very well Tai Lung," Shifu said calmly, "but you will be expected to complete the morning training session once you return."

Tai Lung gave the red panda quick bow then rushed off toward the door.

Once he was gone, Po made his way toward the kitchen. Though he was the Dragon Warrior and still joined the others with their daily training, he was also in charge of cooking everyone's meals.

"Po?"

Po turned around to face Shifu. The grandmaster had a pleasant expression on his face, though he looked far more determine than usual. "Yes master?"

"After training I would like to see you in the Dragon Grotto for a more personal lesson."

"What for?" Po asked a worried expression on his face. Though he promised that he would not sleep with Tigress, he knew full well that it was bound to happen again.

"A promise I made to an old friend."