A/N: here chapter four! c: hope you guys like it (: thanks Crystal! for your help! :DDD
Up at the jade palace, were the two kung fu warriors that were extremely desperate for food, Mantis was going crazy whining on how weak he felt, while Monkey was beginning to get annoyed and frustrated at the same time.
" Mantis just shut up already! I'm hungry too you know!" he muttered, irritated with the insects complaints.
" so…. Weak…. Need NOODLES!" Mantis snapped, collapsing on the floor. Exaggerating a bit. Monkey rolled his eyes.
" UGH! Your such a pain!" Monkey complained. He had about enough of waiting. He stood up and stalked out the kitchen.
" where are you going?" Mantis asked, standing up from his pathetic stance.
" I'm going to look for them, I'm gonna go crazy if I sit here listening to your complaints." Monkey snapped. Mantis immediately felt some energy and hopped on his shoulder.
" I'm going with ya, I need to eat something!" he shrieked, Monkey chuckled and began to walk over to the front gate of the palace, and making his way down the palace steps.
In Dragon warrior Noodles and Tofu.
" oh man, I'm starving!" Po mumbled as he began to slurp on his noodles. Tigress giggled quietly, she thought it was rather adorable the way he slurped like a little kid. Crane was too busy starring at Viper's beauty, he thought she was amazing, and the way she ate her noodles was just simply adorable for him. Viper felt a pair of eyes on her, and turned to look at Crane, the bird blushed and quickly turned away, embarrassed that he had just been caught. Po on the other hand….. Well he's always a little late when it came to stuff like this, he didn't seem to notice Tigress starring at him, he took his bowl and began to swallow the juice that was left, when he finished he put the plate down but didn't notice he had a little stain of the soup on his cheek, Tigress smiled a little, and looked at Po.
" Po you got a little…" she murmured tapping her own cheek, for him to get the memo.
" I got a wha-?" he didn't seem to get it.
" here, I got it." Tigress licked her finger and gently rubbed off the stain on his cheek, causing the panda to blush a deep red, she smiled when she saw the slight pink on his cheeks. She removed her paw and began to eat the rest of her noodles, Viper giggled a little of what she just witnessed. She thought it was kinda cute. Before Viper could finish her soup, she thought she needed a little more soy sauce, she reached over to grab the sauce, but didn't notice Po was reaching for it too. Tigress and Crane growled, but with out thinking they Both took hold of their crush's paw/tail and snatched it away. Both Viper and Po looked at them, shock ran across their faces, and both arched an eyebrow of why the sudden reaction. Tigress and Crane's eyes widened, and looked at each other, they blushed in embarrassment and were about to retreat their hands when Mr. Ping woddled over.
" Oh Po, I just wanted to tell you and your friends tha-" he cut himself off as he gazed down at warriors paws/wing/tail and smiled widely at the lovely scene.
" ah young love! oh how rude of me, I shouldn't have interrupted your lovely moment. Please do carry on." the goose encouraged, waddling away from the soon to be couples. The crowd over heard Mr. Ping's words and turned around to see Tigress and Po, Crane and Viper holding Paws/tail/wing they began to whisper things to each other causing them so blush madly, Crane and Tigress immediately released them and cleared their throats.
" um excuse me Po, I don't know what came over me." Tigress mumbled feeling the heat in her cheeks.
" forgive me for my actions Viper." Crane apologized pulling down his hat, trying to hide his red face, Viper and Po looked at each other in confusion. They both had a bright pink color on their cheeks. Tigress then stood up and cleared her throat.
" yes well, I believe we should be heading back to the palace, Master Shifu will be wondering why were taking so long." she announced, they all nodded in agreement and stood up, heading towards the back to retrieve their groceries. Once they finished, they all dismissed themselves, before their crazy fans will start hovering over them and start asking a lot of questions. They made their way up the palace stairs and got to the front gate.
Down at the Valley with Monkey and Mantis.
" see them anywhere?" Monkey asked.
" nope! Just look for a large Panda, then we'll find Viper with him." Mantis snapped, gazing everywhere for any sight of the cuddly bear. But nothing.
" I'm going to kill them for making me wait so long!" Monkey rolled his eyes and continued down his current path.
Up at the Jade Palace Kitchen.
Po, Tigress, Viper, and Crane were all quietly stacking the food in their places, Tigress jumped at to the top shelf, and Po Threw the bread, she easily caught it and stood perfectly balance on her perfect splits catching more bread to place it on top, Crane had Viper on his back, while he gently flew to the top of the cabinets, Viper smiled and placed the potatoes in a stack, once she was finished she nodded to the bird letting him she was finished. At that Moment Master Shifu Came in, and smiled at the scene of his pupils working together.
" I see that you two have returned." he commented, making them all break away from their work. Po and Viper smiled and gave a sharp nod.
" Very well, once you are finished you are free to do whatever you please for the rest of the evening." he commented, then looked around the kitchen not catching any sign of Mantis and Monkey.
" may I ask where, Monkey and Mantis are?"
" Oh they went down to the valley to get something to eat." Po announced, with a grin, Shifu's eyes widened, how dare those two just leave the palace with out his permission.
" they what!" Shifu growled, Po arched an eyebrow in confusion.
" what?" he asked not sure why he was mad all of a sudden. Master Shifu didn't respond and just stomped out of the kitchen. Tigress jumped from her place and landed gracefully on her feet, and stood by Po.
" I don't think it's a good idea to question Master Shifu right now Po." she whispered.
" Yup he looks really upset, let him deal with them." Crane added agreeing with Tigress. Po nodded, and tossed the last potato up on the shelf.
" well that's settled, Sooooo….. What do you guys wanna do?" they all thought for a minute, then Crane spoke up.
" well I'm going to go work on some paintings I have, Viper would you like to come?" he asked sweetly, Viper giggled and slithered next to him.
" we'll see you guys at dinner." Viper stated smiling at Crane, who blushed a bit. Tigress gave him a small wink and gave him a thumbs up that only he could see. That made Crane blush an INSANE red. Po then turned to Tigress.
" well I'ma go cloud gazing, wanna come with?" Po asked her with the same goofy grin he always had, Tigress chuckled a little nodded.
" sure thing Dragon warrior." she smiled, but this time, it was more sincere, it was full of emotion, filled with happiness, Po blushed a little as he witnessed that gorgeous smile. ' Man she's beautiful!' he though to himself, he shook his head snapping back to reality and led the way out the palace kitchen out into the clearing.
Down in the valley.
" okay we checked everywhere and there is no sign of them!" Mantis complained, Monkey growled in annoyance.
" why did I have to get stuck with you, especially when your hungry!" he whined.
" ugh! Come on let's get back to the palace, I'm sure they're finally back there, besides I can hear the noodles calling out my name!" Mantis sighed drooling again. Monkey face palmed, but sighed and began walking to the palace steps. Once he reached the top of the mountain, he opened the palace gate only to see a very furious red panda. Monkey and Mantis gulped.
" uh hehe, hey uh Master Shifu how's it going?" Mantis greeted a little nervous.
" just where in the gods name, have you two been?" Shifu growled. Monkey gulped.
" er, we went looking for Po and Viper and-"
" ah yes, and then you decided to help yourself with a fresh cook meal! you two left the palace when I ordered for you to begin your training." Shifu snarled, then got a good idea.
" and for your punishment, you two will not be having any dinner tonight, you will remain training until it is time for bed, do I make myself clear?" Shifu snapped pointing at them with Oogway's staff, Mantis and Monkey gulped but nodded fast, shaking in fear.
" good, now off to training." then disappeared back into the sacred hall of warriors for more meditation. Mantis and Monkey slumped their shoulders but Mantis was furious.
" NO NOODLES! FOR A WHOLE DAY!" he shrieked, hopping off Monkey's shoulder.
" oh man I'm starving, this is your fault Mantis!" Monkey snapped.
" My fault! You're the one that suggested to go looking for them!" he shot back.
" because you wouldn't shut up!" Monkey snapped.
At the clearing with Po and Tigress.
Both Tigress and Po came along to the palace clearing, and sat down near the biggest tree. They both looked up at sky feeling comfortable with each other's company. Until….
" because you wouldn't shut up!" they heard someone shout. Po arched an eyebrow.
" what was that?" he asked, Tigress shrugged her shoulders.
" I don't know, it sounded like Monkey." she muttered, Po chuckled, and they both shrugged it off, getting comfy while laying on their backs, and staring up at the blue sky with beautiful clouds.
" nice day today huh?" Po commented, Tigress smiled, and breathed in the beautiful atmosphere.
" yes it is quite a peaceful day." she agreed. Po then looked at a cloud and thought It looked like two lions ready for battle.
" OHH look, those clouds look like lions ready to fight each other!" Po shrieked, Pointing in the right direction so Tigress can see. The feline followed his finger, and giggled. It did look they were ready for battle. She then gazed over and saw a cloud that looked like Mantis gargling up some cookies, she arched an eyebrow and tapped Po's shoulder.
" Po is it me, or does that cloud look like Mantis eating cookies?" she asked pointing at the cloud, Po squinted his eyes trying to get a better look but then burst out in laughter as he saw it.
" Oh man that's just classic! Even in clouds Mantis never escapes those cookies!" he shrieked wiggling his feet high in the air laughing out loud like a little child, Tigress put a paw over her mouth trying to hold in her laughter at Po's childish acts. The two layed down gazing up at the sky seeing a bunch of different shapes, both laughing a little, clearly having a really good time together.
" Oh man! that's epic." Po shrieked as he saw a cloud shaped as Monkey getting a wedgie, Tigress giggled and nodded, then to her disappointed, she came across a cloud that she did NOT want to see at all. She saw a cloud that was shaped of a bear, but it was holding a snake in his arms, not like a friendly hug… but more of a -never-want-to-let-you-go kind of hug, The feline growled in rage, while Po was gazing up a cloud, and sighed dreamily. The cloud looked like he and Tigress, both holding each other in their arms, as the clouds leaned in and pressed their lips together, he let out a smile, wishing someday this cloud would become real… he was interrupted by a roar, and quickly sat up to see Tigress growling at her feet.
" whoa hey, you alright?" Po asked, Tigress let out a deep breath and composed herself she turned over to look at the panda and gave him a small smile.
" yes I'm fine Po, don't worry about it." she grinned, Po arched an eyebrow but figured it wasn't the best time to interfere with her thoughts.
" you sure?" the feline sighed and nodded.
" yes Po. I'm fine" she smiled, trying to sound convincing. Po knew she was lying but didn't want to push it, though he and Tigress created a strong friendship, she still had a temper no one would want to deal with.
" alright, if you say so." Po smiled back, and layed back down on his back. Tigress wasn't comfortable talking about this subject, but she wanted to be sure the panda was being honest with his feelings, she wanted to know if he like Viper in a romantic way or not.
" Po?" she found herself asking, not being able to stop herself.
" yea?" the panda turned to look at her, the feline sighed.
" can I ask you something?"
" sure, what's up?" Tigress took a deep breath and got it over with.
" what happened yesterday between you and Viper… well how did you feel about that?" she asked, blushing a little praying to the gods he wouldn't notice and just answer with out any questions. Po felt a little awkward at the moment, but figured he should get it off his chest, and to be honest he trusted Tigress more then anyone in the palace.
" well, of course I felt weird, I mean…. I only see her like a sister, know what I mean? and well yea, it was an accident and all, it doesn't really matter, and besides she and I agreed that THAT event never happened, we put it behind us cause we wanted to keep that awesome brother and sister relationship alive. Hehe." Po chuckled, Tigress smiled and nodded, she was extremely happy to know that the panda didn't have any feelings for her snake friend.
" I see, so you two are okay now?" she asked.
" Ice cold." Po chuckled. The feline let out a small giggle and got back on her back laying next to the cuddly plush panda she loved, gazing back at the sky.
Over at Crane's room.
Crane opened his door to his bedroom, holding it open like a gentlemen for Viper to step in, Viper gazed around and was completely amazed at Crane's art work.
" wow Crane this is amazing!" she shrieked looking around, Crane blushed at her admiring but let out a smile.
" hehe, na it's nothing really."
" Nothing? You have an amazing talent!" she smiled. Then looked over at painting that was covered up in a white sheet, she arched an eyebrow and slithered to it.
" what's this?" she asked, and was about to peek under, but Crane stopped her.
" oh, oh that uh- that's just uh….. I didn't like it so um, yea I put it aside." he mumbled Viper giggled a little.
" with your talent I don't its possible for it to be bad." she smiled. She tried again but Crane didn't let her look.
" alright! I'll er…. Let you see it some other time." Viper arched an eyebrow in confusion, why didn't he want to let her look? But she gave a sharp nod and slithered next to him. Crane took down another sheet and revealed a painting of he and the rest of the furious five, along with Master Shifu and Po, in their fighting stances. Viper's eyes widened, and smiled at the painting.
" oh my gosh this is so beautiful!" she squealed getting closer to get a better look.
" I've been working on it for quite some time now, but I finally finished it last night." he chuckled.
" it looks so real, this is so amazing." Viper muttered still staring at it. Then Viper got a great idea.
" do you think I can paint something?" she asked with a smile, Crane blushed as he witnessed her beauty.
" sure why not, what would you like to paint?" he asked, Viper thought for a minute, then blushed but smiled.
" can I Paint YOU?" she asked sweetly, Crane felt that is face couldn't possibly get any redder.
" um why me?" he asked in embarrassment.
" oh umm. I don't know, I just think your graceful and kind, I think you would look great in a painting." Viper stated with a slight pink on her cheeks. Crane smiled at her words and nodded.
" well I guess its alright, how would you like me to stand?" he asked. Viper smiled.
" Oh you can just choose whatever pose you want, I don't mind." she giggled. Crane nodded and grabbed a few paint colors and a plate for her to splash the colors she needed, Viper blushed, she didn't have a clue on how to hold it, she never painted before so she didn't know how to use a brush. Crane seemed to notice her troubles and smiled.
" here you hold it like this." he stated grabbing the end of her tail and rolled it around the tip of the brush. The snake blushed as he held her tail, but she didn't mind one bit.
" and you can set the plate down here on the stool if you like, that way you can just pick any color you want." Crane instructed, Viper nodded with a smile. After that Crane stood in one of his fighting stances, trying to make it simple for Viper's first painting, The snake took the brush and began to draw him out, she looked fully concentrated, letting her tongue dangle out and squinting her eyes trying to get every curve and angle right, Crane chuckled a little at her effort, but thought it was adorable, then he saw Viper pucker her lips in frustration, he let out a sigh and thought he had to get the question off his chest.
" Viper?"
" hmm?" she asked while working on her drawing.
" can I ask you something?" the snake separated the brush from the paper and stared at him with wondered eyes.
" um sure, what is it?" Crane blushed as he thought about what he was going to say but knew he had to know.
" that little accident yesterday…. You know with Po?…. How did you feel about that?" Viper froze at the question, it caught her off guard but shook it off, and smiled at him.
" um well, of course it was awkward, but I knew I shouldn't let it get to me because he's like a brother to me. And besides, he and I made in agreement that we would put that behind us and pretend like it never happened." she stated smiling widely at him. Crane felt his heart skip a beat when he heard those words, he was so relieved at the fact that he still might have a chance to win her heart. 'thanks the gods for her only thinking of him as a brother.' he thought to himself.
" so that does that mean you two cleared things up?" Crane asked with a grin.
" crystal clear." Viper commented. As she returned to work on her painting, once she was finished she sighed a little, not really pleased with her work. Crane took notice of her disappointment and came over to her.
" what's wrong?" Viper sighed.
" My painting, It didn't come out so good." she mumbled in disappointment. Crane looked over at her painting, sure it wasn't the best in the world, but she put an effort to it, and that proved she was determined in doing anything. And that's one of the things he loved about her.
" oh it's alright Viper, the first painting isn't always the best, but this looks great for a beginner!" he encouraged, the snake let out a small smile.
" that's sweet Crane, thank you." she smiled, Crane chuckled.
" no problem, but if you want I can give you lessons." he offered, Viper giggled and nodded.
" I'd like that." Crane blushed but grinned at the thought of spending more time together with her.
With Monkey and Mantis.
" Man I can't believe were not getting any noodles tonight." Monkey mumbled, Mantis growled.
" will you shut up already! It's bad enough I can't eat my favorite meal, and you complaining about it isn't helping me!" Mantis snapped, punching and dodging the wooden crocs. Monkey frowned in annoyance but kept on trying to keep his balance on the tortoise.
" jeez, Mantis no wonder Po always tries to make his noodles fast, your such a pain when your hungry."
" Can it Primate!" Mantis snapped.
" bring it Bug!" Monkey shot back, getting on his fighting stance.
" I'll show you who's boss!" Mantis groaned. They both lunched at each other kicking and punching.
" is that all you got little guy?" Monkey taunted with a grin.
" oh its on banana peeler!" Mantis growled and tapped Monkey on his arms using his pressure points.
" ah HA! You wont be using that arm in few hours" he taunted, Monkey felt his arm numb and weak.
" hey that's cheating!"
" never said I would fight fair." the bug snorted.
" oh when I get hands on you!" Monkey roared.
" you gotta have both arms to catch this!" Mantis snickered pointing at himself. Then Monkey sighed.
" ugh this is going to be a long day." he muttered to himself.
" tell me about it, I swear I can smell the noodles already." Mantis began drooling again.
" Man you need help, I'm hungry too… but at least I don't go nuts like you."
" and your point is?" Mantis challenged, Monkey shrugged.
" whatever, let's just finish training and go to bed." he mumbled.
" and first thing in the morning we hunt down those noodles!" Mantis rubbed his thingies together evilly. Monkey rolled his eyes.
" that's If you leave any for me." he mumbled.
The hours passed, the sun was beginning to set, which meant it was almost time for dinner. Po looked over at Tigress and stood up.
" it's almost time for dinner, and I gotta cook some noodles, you know how Mantis gets when he's hungry." the panda chuckled, Tigress rolled her eyes with a smirk but nodded.
" for a little bug his appetite is almost as bad as yours." she commented while giggling a little.
" ouch, that hurt. But its so true!" Po laughed along. Tigress giggled and stood up, walking besides the lovable panda. They reached the kitchen In no longer then a few minutes, Viper and Crane were not there yet, which was okay with them, it gave them more time to be together alone. Po began to heat up the water and got all of his supplies out.
" so Tigress, would you like Tofu or noodles?" Po asked kindly. Tigress smiled.
" after I've eaten your noodles, do you really believe I will go back to that plain salty tofu?" she asked in sarcasm. " of course not." she finished with a grin on her face, Po blushed a little, this was the first time Tigress complimented him about his cooking.
" hehe, thanks Tigress." the feline nodded with a smile, 'wow I never smiled so much before, Po really knows how to make someone happy.' she thought to herself. Just then Viper and Crane walked.
" hey guys!" Viper smiled, as she greeted her two friends.
" Hey." Po and Tigress replied with a smile.
" what did you guys do this evening?" Crane asked.
" Oh we were cloud gazing, it was pretty awesome! Tigress caught sight of some funny shapes." Po chuckled. Tigress giggled.
" sounds like you two had a great time." Viper commented giving Tigress a devilish Grin, Tigress blushed a little but shrugged it off.
" yes we did, what did you two do?" she asked, Viper smiled.
" oh I painted a picture of Crane! It didn't come out so good, but he said he was going to give me lessons." she smiled at the bird who blushed shyly. Tigress gave him a small wink in approval.
" well that sounds great, I'm sure Crane would Love to teach you all he knows about art, won't you Crane?" Tigress teased him. Crane turned an insane red.
" uh yea of course, well if Viper would like to."
" of course I would! You have an amazing talent!" Viper shrieked. Then Po came in with four bowls of noodles.
" here you go guys, hey where's Monkey and Mantis?" he asked looking at the two empty seat. Tigress and Crane looked at each other and grinned.
" oh I'm sure they went to bed already, while you two were gone in the Valley they got carried away with their training. Before they went to eat." Tigress lied, with a smile. Crane nodded in agreement. Po and Viper looked at each other and shrugged.
" oh well, I guess they'll just wake up early in the morning to eat." Po commented. They all nodded in agreement and began to eat their noodles. Once they finished they cleaned up after themselves and together walked over to the barracks.
" well goodnight Crane, Viper,….Tigress." Po said with a smile, his eyes never leaving the feline, Tigress smiled and patted his on the shoulder.
" goodnight Dragon warrior." she grinned, and walked into her bedroom.
" Well Goodnight guys, and Viper." Crane added. Viper smiled sweetly.
" goodnight Crane, see you in the morning." she whispered and slithered into her bedroom. That night the four warriors layed in their beds with lovely grins on their faces, sighing dreamily they drifted to sleep, waiting upon the next day to spend more time with the ones they like.
