Something I think people who've just left their parents home to live by themselves (or with someone) might feel. This scene felt very real to write, and it was quite touching for me. Hope you like it!
"Todays training was adequate, Po, but you still have a long way ahead of you. Tomorrow we'll…"
The giant panda sighed and winced, as if he'd pulled a muscle.
"Ah, Master Shifu! Please, it's dinnertime, and after that it's time for sleep. Please spare me tomorrows horrors until dawn at least!"
Shifu considered the pandas words. True, they had been training since shortly after breakfast straight through lunch and was just now having dinner together with the Five. He supposed the panda was entitled hi rest.
"Very well, panda. But tomorrow I won't go so easy on you."
"Thank you Master, I appreciate it." The tone was just a bit disrespectful, but Shifu allowed it to slide this time.
After everyone had complimented the chef for the food they all retired to their rooms. Shifu and Po were the last ones to leave, as always sneaking in a few private seconds when they could. Po bent down at the same time as Shifu rose on his toes, and their lips met in a brief, affectionate kiss.
"Goodnight, Shifu." Only when they were together did the panda call him by only his name.
"Goodnight, panda."
They parted, and within minutes the Jade Palace was quiet.
For some unexplainable reason Shifu woke earlier than usual the next morning. However he tried, he couldn't get back to sleep. With a great sigh he decided to start his day a little earlier with meditation.
As he made his way through the palace, he passed the kitchen. Hearing activity inside he couldn't help but peek. He didn't believe what he saw. There stood his panda, cooking the food that was to served that day.
This couldn't be right, Po was usually the last one to join him and the Five on the training grounds. A thought hit him. Was this what Po had been doing every morning since he'd arrived at the Palace? That would explain some things, like the quality of the meals had improved since the panda started his training, and him always wanting to take it easy on the evenings.
Shifu felt a little guilty. He'd been nagging the panda about his training from early morning to late nights, and just assumed it was the only thing Po thought about. He constantly forgot that Po wasn't like the Five, or even himself, and that he was still very young. And he had recently left his everyday life, which consisted of cooking.
"Shifu? What are you doing, sneaking around here at this time? Couldn't sleep?" The red panda was surprised to see worry in the green eyes of his panda. Training almost non-stop and cooking every day, and Po still had the energy to worry about the others around him. It made Shifus heart hurt and his eyes teared up.
"Shifu, what's wrong?" Po closed the distance between them and reached down to stroke a cheek with his paw. It only made the tears flow faster.
"Nothing's wrong, Po. I'm just starting to realize how old I am." Po smiled at him.
"You're not old, Shifu, you're just right."
The red panda smiled and followed Po into the kitchen. He was treated to samples of the dishes and offered conversation in turn.
The following morning, and the mornings after, found the giant panda in the kitchen, chatting with his Master as he cooked.
Review please!