Chapter 2, Let's take a walk
The group of kung fu warriors had finally returned to their home, The Valley of Peace. Winter was coming; a cool chill had was being carried throughout the valley by the ever increasing wind. The graceful songs of the birds were no longer present, the trees had lost their majestic leaves, city folk had begun to wear warmer clothes, everyone was stocking up on supplies and the atmosphere was busier than ever.
This all changed as soon as Master Shifu and his Kung fu warriors walked through the main gates. Crowds gathered around them, giving the group the hero's welcome they deserved. Master Shifu and the Five gave a graceful bow then proceeded through the huge crowd. Before they even got close to the Jade Palace, Master Shifu did a quick head count and noticed Po had failed to keep up, like always.
"Panda, hurry up!" Master Shifu turned towards the main gates, waiting for Po to reach him.
"...Sorry...Master...I...I...just give me a sec" Po collapsed to the floor when he walked through the city gates, struggling to breath. Master Shifu sighed and shook his head, as he walked towards Po.
"Come now Po, it was only a small hill"
"Small? That hill is worse than Tai Lung" Po somehow found enough strength to sit up and resume the conversation with Master Shifu. The red panda let a smile slip through as he helped Po up. Before the two could converse further, Po's gaze turned towards a familiar voice. It was Mr Ping; he was running towards Po with open wings overjoyed at the sight of his son. Equally as overjoyed Po dropped his backpack and grabbed his father, as they engaged in an emotional hug.
"My son, I thought that you'd never come back" Mr Ping said, while having to hold back tears of happiness
"I would never do that, ever!" Po said as he hugged his father tighter, pulling him further into his plush fur.
Master Shifu was happy to witness this heart warming father-son moment, but knew that he shouldn't smear this it with his presence. So he carried on without Po.
"Po I would like you to meet me at the training hall, when you finish with Mr Ping. There is something I want to tell you and the Five."
"Yes, Master" Po looked at MAster Shifu as he was walking away, and as he put his father down
"So Po, why don't you tell me about your adventure while I make us some nice noodle soup?"
Po could not wait to tell Mr Ping about his quest of awesomeness. How he met with the Kung Fu Council, how he attained inner peace and every little detail in-between. However, as Po was trying to figure out where to start, he remembered that he also discovered his own origin. As he picked up his backpack and began walking with Mr Ping to their noodle shop, Po decided to tell his father the truth:
"So many things happened, while I and the Five were saving China, and I also found out who I really am."
Mr Ping felt his heart ache. He thought back to that horrible moment when he told Po that he is not really his father. Even though Po did not come from a goose egg, he considered him a son. A son he loves and does not want to lose.
"Oh? So...w-who are you, Po?" Mr Ping stopped frozen in his tracks. He was afraid that Po will tell him that he hates him, or that he is going to go live with his real parents. The goose nervously turned around, this time having to hold back tears of melancholy, and asked:
Po kneeled down, so that he was at the same level as his dad "I'm your son, dad" the panda proudly proclaimed, while allowing a single tear do moist the side of his face.
Mr Ping did not keep back any of his tears, he was overwhelmed by emotion and did not say anything. Instead, he jumped up and gave Po another hug, so relieved and happy at his answer.
"How about we make that soup together, dad?" Po said while still embracing his father in and even more emotional hug.
"I would love that, son"
Everyone had met in the hall of heroes, per Master Shifu's request. They were all sitting in the lotus position, awaiting for Shifu to reveal why he wanted to speak to them. However, they could not begin their meeting straight away, as Po was still no where to be seen. They began to examine the various Kung Fu artifacts, but when a very exhausted panda came running through the doors, everyone turned to see why he was so late. After spending several hours with his dad, Po finally met up with Master Shifu and the Five. He walked into the hall and, to everyone else's surprise, took a seat next to Tigress. The feline was more than happy to allow Po to sit next to her, she smiled and shifted to the side as the giant panda sat down next to her.
"Ah Po, so glad you decided to join us" Master Shifu said in a very annoyed tone, Po was an extra thirty minutes late for their meeting.
"Sorry, Master. I had to save a group of children from..." the panda nervously tried to make up some excuse, but Master Shifu had none him long enough to be able to tell what really happened.
"You got out of breath climbing the stairs again, didn't you?" Master Shifu said as he lowered his eyelids.
"Yeah" Po looked to the floor abashed, as the rest of the Kung Fu Masters, including Tigress, began to laugh under their breaths
"Anyway back to the reason I gathered the six of you here" Master Shifu begna to pace up and down the spot he was standing in. "I am very proud of you all; you saved China and Kung Fu. However, I think that you gain most of the credit, Po."
The panda looked towards Master Shifu, confused about his remark
"You defeated Lord Shen, attained inner peace, at such a young age. But above all you saved your friends from certain death"
"Well, what kind of Dragon Warrior would I be if I didn't save the day?" said Po as he rubbed the back if his head, with a beam on his face. But he did all of this as he looked at Tigress, who did not notice the panda's gaze. Po felt an even brighter beam make it's way on his face. The panda felt himself slowly melting at the sight of Tigress, in his mind, she was the most beautiful, deadly and awesome feline in the whole world. Master Shifu saw this and chuckled as he remembered their journey back from Gongmen City, he then continued his speech, before Po became completely lost in the trance Tigress' beauty had pu him in.
"Because of your heroics, I have decided to let you do as you please on weekends"
The six Masters looked at Shifu with surprise, even Po broke free of his trance when he heard this. The red panda had never even spoke about the idea, let alone consider it, now all of a sudden he is allowing them to do it. Everyone was so happy, they all wanted the free time and needed it badly. Their excitement was so overwhelming that they couldn't even speak; after a short and awkward pause, Monkey managed to say:
"You mean?"
"Yes Monkey, you now have to train extra hard to make up for the two days you have lost."
"Thant's not what I was thinking" Monkey thought to himself, as he raised an eyebrow towards Shifu.
"But Master, today is Saturday"
"Well then that is lucky you, isn't it, Viper?"
Everyone was so happy about Master Shifu's decision; they could finally have time to themselves. Everyone, including Master Shifu, left the hall eager to enjoy themselves, everyone except Master Tigress. She had always worked hard on her meditation and training; that's all she knew. Tigress did not know what else she could occupy her time with. She just sat there on her own staring aimlessly at the floor, saddened by the fact that all of her friends had things they could do; other than Kung Fu. The feline turned around when she felt a paw on her shoulder.
"You okay, Tigress?" asked Po as he kneeled down next to Tigress, eager to find out why she did not dash off as everyone else.
"Po, what are you doing here? I thought that you were leaving with the others." the feline asked, though she did not want Po to leave. He was the only person who she could open up to and speak about anything. Everytime she would see Po, or hear his adorable laugh, Tigress would immediately feel happines and joy; forgeting all the things that had put her in such a saddened state of mind.
"Well I was, but then I saw that you were still here. So I wanted to check on you" Po said with a gentle and comforting voice.
"Well I was just..." Po moved closer to Tigress, eager to comfort her as she did for him on the boat. She looked into Po's eyes uncertain whether to tell him about her predicament.
"Tigress, don't worry, whatever it is I'll listen. I won't tell anyone else, I promise."
Tigress was reassured when Po said this. She had always kept her emotions to herself; on the rare occasions when she didn't, she would only show them to Master Shifum or Po.
"Well it's just that everyone else, apart from me, has something other than Kung Fu to occupy their time. Monkey and Mantis have always been best friends; no doubt they'll find something to do. Crane and Viper will probably compete to see who is the faster of the two. Master Shifu will go meet up with old friends, and me? I have no one and nothing else to do"
Po was a bit overwhelmed by Tigress' confession. He had always thought that she was hardcore, and that emotions did not play a part in her life, but he saw a different side to her. He saw a person who had occupied herself with Kung Fu so much, that she forgot how to have fun. Po was determined to remind her.
"That's not true Tigress, you have me. How about you and me spend the rest of the afternoon together? I promise you that you'll enjoy it"
Tigress was bewildered by Po's suggestion. She began to experience the same feeling she had on the boat, still clueless as to what it was: she felt her face turning red, her heart beat at an increasing rate, a warm sensation began to wrap around her. She had never felt this strange new emotion before, but she liked it.
"I would love that Po, thank you." Tigress stood up, ardent to enjoy the afternoon with Po.
"Um...Tigress"
"Yes Po?"
"Are we holding paws?"
Tigress hadn't realised it, but Po's paw had met hers while they were talking. How didn't she notice, did it feel so natural that she did not realise it herself? The panda stood up as Tigress let go of him and turned her head to the side, her cheeks had turned so red that it was visible through her fur, but was smiling.
"Sorry Po, I didn't realise. I hope it didn't make you uncomfortable."
"No, it's ok. I didn't realise it myself"
The two were unsure of what to make of the situation. They both looked into each other's eyes, jade green and crimson red; two completely different colours, yet they could not stop looking at each other.
"How about we go for a walk, Tigress?"
"Yes Po, let's do that"
Well that's chapter 2, sorry if I take too long to upload; I like to take my time with stories. Hope you enjoy it, remember to review!
