BALANCE AND HARMONY
THE CONFESSION
The next morning Hao woke up and Shifu wasn't there, he also noticed that both scrolls wasn't there, so he thought that maybe he woke up earlier and put them were they belonged. He carefully left Shifu's room and headed to see if Po was awake but he wasn't there "Where are they?" He thought when suddenly had the feeling that probably they would be in the kitchen. He only found his master there, drinking tea.
"Good morning Hao, did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I'd like to thank you by allowing me to sleep in your bed" Hao bowed.
"I've been thinking... you did very well in your training yesterday; also overcome my expectations, you're free from your training today; in fact, I have something special for you"
Hao frowned "what is it?"
"Follow me, young student" Hao followed Shifu outside the Jade Palace to the Peach Tree.
"Wow, I've ever seen or imagined a place like this"
"This is the place where I come to meditate" when the young fox gave it a look, there was some food under the tree "You and I will have a lunch together; I'd like to know you a bit more"
"But, what about Po?"
"Don't worry about him... I make sure he won't eat all our food"
"What I meant was..."
"I know what you mean; he's off on a mission"
Hao followed Shifu and sat under the Peach Tree, it was a perfect time to get to know Shifu. Hao loved being there and alone with him; a couple of times thought about telling him how he felt but preferred not to do it.
Once they finished, just relaxed and enjoyed the view: the clouds moving slowly, birds singing above them and the wind through the leaves "It's good to share some time far from the training and meditation" Shifu said "I used to come here and meditate with my master"
Hao seemed to be interested "Master Oogway... how was he?" Shifu noticed that he really wanted to know
"He was wise, kind and peaceful, but above all; a true Kung Fu master, before he died; he commended me the Jade Palace, including future kung fu masters that would like to train here"
The young fox felt a bit sad, the way Shifu talked about his master made him remember his parents "mom and dad were like Master Oogway; they used to tell me that harmony and balance is all we need to help others and make sure they have a good life"
Shifu stared at Hao "They were right, even though the path is hard it can be achieved" this gave Hao too much to think and Shifu noticed it, so he change the subject
"You made a great job healing my leg and I was wondering if you could give me another massage like the last one"
Hao smiled "I'd be honored to give a Kung Fu master a massage" in secret he always wanted to do it and keep it that way because he knew that if he said it, then he might be seen as dumb. So Shifu leaned back and saw how the young fox took off his shoes and started to rub his toes before the soles. A very relaxed Shifu enjoyed the attention that his feet were having.
When Hao finished, both headed back to the Jade Palace, Hao was leaving to his room when Shifu suddenly spoke "I've heard that the thermal pool changed a lot since the last time I went when I was young, would you like to go with me?"
He was so happy! He finally would have a chance to get in the pool with his hero! "Su... sure, I'd be glad to go with you" Po's mission probably would take some hours and this was the perfect time to be alone with Shifu, this made him feel happy.
When they were inside, Shifu started to take off his clothes and entered into the water, and then Hao did the same; with his face red of the impression of seeing his master nude. Fortunately for him, his fur hides it pretty well. Shifu turned back to see where Hao was and saw him standing in front of him and holding his tail, trying to hide part of his body.
"There's no need to be shy, you don't have nothing I've seen before" but Hao was a bit nervous.
"You've been here with Po before and saw him nude; it shouldn't be a problem for you"
He was right but it was hard for Hao, especially because he had feelings for Shifu; his master noticed that he blushed, so he got outside the pool, so the young fox would see that there wasn't any reason to feel shy.
He took his student's paws and guide him to the warm water where he sat next to him. Soon, Hao started to feel relaxed because it was like being with Po. "You're right, there's no reason to feel ashamed" he said while grabbed a rag and started to wash his body "Can... can I wash your back?" Hao asked
"I'd love that" Shifu said and leaned on his stomach to allow Hao to do it.
"Now it's my turn, please turn around" The fox enjoyed being washed by Shifu, without letting his master know; he lazed his tail with Shifu's tail but released it when Shifu started to wash Hao's feet, the fox did the same for his master. When the time to get outside came, both did it at the same time and talked a bit more before getting dressed.
Later that day, Po finally arrived and was received by Hao, who jumped to his arms "How was your mission? Please, tell me everything"
"It was awesome! Those bandits weren't rivals for the Dragon Warrior!" Po said in an excited voice. That night Shifu went to sleep earlier and Po was almost asleep when Hao knocked
"Po, can I enter?" The panda opened the door
He sat on the floor while Po sat on his bed "What is it? Is something bothering you?"
"Well..." Hao grabbed his tail and hugged it
"Please, tell me; you know you can tell me anything"
"I... I fell in love with Shifu"
