Unexpected

Tigress didn't want to believe the doctor. It couldn't be true. She had to be wrong. But the symptoms were all the same as those she listed. Tigress nearly had a heart attack when the doctor told her. It couldn't be true! She had to be wrong! Tigress couldn't be pregnant! She had to tell Shifu. But, what if he rejected her? He never married, he never had a wife, and he never had children (of his own). The red panda's way in life was just to practice kung fu. When she was little, she often heard Oogway and Shifu argue about him not having a wife or children.

She climbed up the stairs, placing a paw on her belly. Tigress couldn't believe that something was alive inside of her. Shifu's child was inside of her. The female tiger stopped, and sighed. She got over her thoughts and continued to climb. Tigress knew that he would be in The Hall of Warriors. He was meditating by the Moon Pool, green candles lit. His back was straight, and his ears were alert.

She sighed. Keep it together, and just tell him. If he rejects you, you'll move away. Maybe to the High Mountains. At least the child will have fresh air. Tigress went up to him, kneeling next to him. He opened his eyes, and smiled up at her. "Hello, Tigress," he said, placing a hand on her leg. "Monkey told me you went into the Village. What was it?"

Tigress sighed. Just tell him. He asked you.

Shifu looked into her flaming eyes, concern filtered through. "Tigress, what is the matter?" he asked.

She sighed again, and then took his hand. "Shifu, I went to the doctor," she answered.

The red panda looked at her. He placed his palm to her forehead, pressing it there. "Are you sick? You don't feel warm. What did the doctor say?"

"Well, the doctor said I wasn't sick," Tigress said, choosing her words carefully.

"Then what is it?"

She sighed. "Well, she said I was . . . pregnant," she said, stressing the word.

Shifu's ears dropped, his eyes widened, and his mouth hung open. Tigress's face fell, and she searched his expression. She could read: utter surprise. Then he face changed to a more calm expression. Shifu looked up at her, smiling. "Well," he said. Shifu stood up, took her paws, and bent low on one knee. "Tigress, would you marry me?"

Tigress nearly fainted. His blue eyes were glowing with utter love. She looked at his small black hands. His ears lowered a bit, and he searched her face. "Tigress?" he called. "You don't want to marry me?"

Tigress lunged at him, and kissed him passionately. "Yes. I want to marry you!"

He smiled, and placed his hand on her belly. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I."

In the kitchen, Monkey and Mantis had their eyes bugging out of their heads, and their mouths hung open. Viper's eyes were wide, but her mouth was clamped shut. Po fainted as soon as he heard the news. And Crane stared at the odd couple. Both Shifu and Tigress realized that they had to tell the others about their plans, and about her pregnancy. Both were holding each others' paws (in Shifu's case, his would be a hand), and stared at the others.

"So let me get this straight: you and Tigress have been banging each other for several months, you got her pregnant, and now are going to marry?" asked Mantis.

Shifu glared at the small bug, and lowered his ears. "You didn't have to be disgusting about it," he snarled. "But yes."

Monkey fainted and joined Po on the floor. Tigress raised an eyebrow. "Huh, you killed Monkey," she said in a sarcastic tone.

Shifu ordered each kung fu master to do one thing to prepare for the up-coming wedding. After he was done assigning things, both Tigress and Shifu left the kitchen. The red panda pulled the tiger down to his level, and kissed her. He then placed his small hand on her flat belly. "I can't wait."

Tigress smiled, and kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you."