This part, and probably the parts to come takes place after the movie!
It was a regular day in the Jade palace. The Five and Po had trained well as usual, though the panda had seemed distracted. He had thrown the red panda conspicuous looks every so often through the day and blushed before dragging his focus back to the training.
Now it was dinnertime, but Po was nowhere to be found. When asked, the Five informed their master that the panda had gone down to the noodle shop, wanting to spend some time his father.
Shifu had told himself to not follow the panda, but his behavior during the day worried him, more than he'd like to admit. So now he found himself standing outside the shop, on his way in when he heard talking. Against his better judgment, he sneaked closer without revealing himself. He was a curious old red panda after all.
"Oh, Po, it's so nice to have you come home every now and then. Are they feeding you properly up there? You look a little thinner than usual."
Shifu could hear the worry in the voice. As he recalled the panda, he realized that the old goose was right. The panda had lost weight. That couldn't be good. Shifu found himself getting even more worried.
"Dad, I get plenty of food, I'm fine. I actually came to tell you something."
Shifu could hear the panda take a deep breath.
"Dad, I'm kinda actually in love with someone."
The air left Shifus lungs.
"What? That is wonderful news, son. Who is the lucky girl?"
Shifu thought back over the latest months. The panda had spent much time with Tigress, doing something of other. He had walked in on them talking a few times and the discussion was always halted abruptly and the panda blushed every time. Tigress had sent him knowing looks.
Of course he was in love with Tigress. The master had warmed up considerably to the younger male and considered him a close friend. The step from friends to lovers was not far.
"Well, dad, the thing is that it's kinda not a girl."
Shifu thought his heart stopped. Not a girl? Then who was it? His musings ended when he heard a thump from the shop.
"Dad? Dad! Are you alright? Can you stand up?"
"Oh, son. I'm sorry, the shock was a bit too great I think. So who's the lucky guy, then?"
There was a long silence and Shifu could easily imagine the big panda fidgeting.
"Well, he's older than me, and very strong."
Well, that wasn't very helpful. It didn't narrow it down at all, it could be either one on Crane, Monkey or Mantis. Though Shifu hoped it wasn't Mantis, the pairing would induce too much laughter from the public.
"It's also someone I respect very much."
"Po, I can see that your feelings are sincere. Why haven't you told the man about how you feel?"
"The thing is dad, that I know he doesn't like me. One of the first things he said to my face when we met was that I'm disgusting. And I don't think he's changed his mind about that."
The red panda could hear the sadness in Pos voice and found himself growing angry at the unknown male. How dare he insult his student?
"Po, don't look so worried. I will love you even if you never tell your man, even if you end up alone. And even if you do tell your man and he feels the same. You are my son, and that will never change."
Shifu could hear the sound of sort sniffles, and knew the panda was crying. Happy tears he knew them to be.
"Thanks dad, I love you too. I'd better go back before they send out a search party."
"You do that son. I'd advise you to tell Master Shifu about your feelings though. He might feel the same.
Shifus vision went grey and his heart started thumping overtime.
"Dad! How'd you know? I never said anything like that."
"Son, you forget I'm your father, I feel these things. I have also been watching your practices sometimes."
"I really love you dad, you're the greatest. Bye."
"I love you too, son. Have fun kung fuing!"
The door opened suddenly, and Shifu found himself jumping up on the roof to avoid detection. He wasn't ready to face the panda yet.
He watched Po walk out of the shop and turn in the direction of the temple. When he couldn't hear his footsteps any longer, he dared to hop down to the ground again.
Him. the mystical male the panda was in love with was him. Shifu was suddenly overrun by several feelings at once. Relief, knowing the panda was alright. Joy, he was loved by the panda. Confusion, what were his own feelings on this matter? Fear, what if the feelings of the panda were temporary? But the thought that grew inside him was:
"I'm too old for this."
"You are never too old for love, Master."
The kung fu master would deny his surprised jump to his death day. When he turned round, he looked right in the eye of Mr. Ping, Po's father.
"Mr. Ping, forgive me for sneaking around out here. It was not my intention to cause any worry."
The goose looked at him closely. "I'm aware you heard my private conversation with my son."
Shifu felt an unexplainable nervousness at the seemingly harmless goose. A protective parent was the most dangerous opponent of them all. "Mr. Ping, I assure you…"
"I hope you realize what it means to be loved, Master Shifu. I've heard that when a giant panda chooses a mate, he will not change his mind, even if said mate rejects him."
Shifu found himself struck speechless.
"Take good care of the gift that my son has decided to give you, or you might find yourself in need of a limb or two."
The goose bowed to the kung fu master before returning inside the shop. Shifu stood in the same spot for a long time, before he sighed.
"I need to meditate."
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