BALANCE AND HARMONY
AT THE POOL
Hao's training officially started, during the first hours of the day he ran all the way the long upstairs than leaded to the village and ran back to the palace using the same stairs. Next; he tried to follow Shifu's rhythm while practicing Tai Chi.
"You're doing well, young fox" Shifu said, Hao was tired; that day's lesson was hard and he barely could breath
"Thank you, master Shifu"
"It seems you need a break, we will continue tomorrow; but before you leave to your room..." he knelt and told Hao to sit
"Show me your foot"
"Master?"
"You can't fool me, it's more than obvious that you're injured, let me see your foot"
Hao obeyed and allowed him to take a look
"Well, is not too serious; and you won't give your best if you're like that; the lessons will continue until you're completely healed, which means that we'll resume in two days"
The rest of the day Hao spent it on the thermal pool where Po and the furious five used to take a break and relax their sore muscles. He was so relaxed that didn't heard when the door opened but did hear footsteps, it was Po, he used the chance to relax too
"Oh! I... I'm sorry, I didn't knew you was here"
Po looked away and Hao did the same, there was a nude panda in front of him "If you want I can leave, so you can take a bath" said a very blushed Hao
"No, it's ok; I can take it when you finish"
Both were silent for some seconds, the young fox spoke
"The pool is big and it wouldn't be fair if just one person uses it at the time, we can share it; if you want" Po accepted the invitation and entered into the warm pool and sat at his side
"How was your training?"
Hao blushed "it went fine, Shifu noticed my foot and told me to wait until it heals"
"I see"
"Can you keep a secret?" Po nodded
"I got burned because... well... fire scares me, that's why I got paralyzed"
"Really? But what about the bonfire when we camped?"
"I imagined I was somewhere else, my parents died on a fire when bandits set up a trap for them, I survived but since then... let's just say that I can't help it but panic when I see fire" Po grabbed Hao's foot and started to make him some tickles, then he put his paw on Hao's shoulder "even heroes feel fear, remember? To be honest there's an old goat in town that freaks me out? Then he shivers, making Hao giggle
"It's not a joke, she's kinda creepy"
"Could you wash my back?" Hao blushed
"Of course, can you wash mine?" Po added
Po started to wash Hao's back and continued telling him about the goat that used to cause him shivers
"Well, I guess it's my turn to wash your back"
It took him a little time to wash the big panda's back but still, both enjoyed it. Soon, they got used to each other's company; which also meant that they didn't felt embarrassed or ashamed to be naked in the same pool. There were even a couple of times when Po raised Hao in the air and catches him on his arms.
"You know? I feel better, I trust you Po; I know we met only a few hours but… there's something on you that makes me feel that I can tell you anything"
"Me too, it's like if we were connected"
Both shared a good time at the thermal pool but it was getting a bit late. They decided to have something to eat, so it was time to get out, Hao was the first on getting out of the pool and didn't bothered that Po saw him nude, the same was for Hao.
Both got dressed and went to the kitchen were Shifu was having dinner
"Good night Master Shifu"
"Good night young fox, I see your body is in good conditions now"
"More than ever I'd say"
Po said at the same time he pushed him on a playful way, they had a good diner and talked a bit more before. "Well; it's time to sleep, Po; tomorrow starts the Festival and I'd like to be the first ones on the line to enter". Shifu was excited, the last time he went; he was afraid that Po would think that he was a nerd but thing went good at the end.
Hao was interested on knowing what that festival was about; Po explained to him that it was one of the most awesome events in the valley and everyone would be there to find out what was new on action figures and recreations of famous battles; this made Hao feel excited to.
"Since you are new in the valley, you might want to come too" Shifu added
"I'd like to, Master Shifu"
"Ok then, let's go to sleep; we have a great day tomorrow"
Hao stayed awake a couple of minutes more and in silence, he took an action figure he brought from home and smiled before putting it back inside his back pack.