Just wanted to say thanks for the awesome reviews guys! I know the battle scene was a bit short but there was a reason for it. well that and it was my first time writing a fight scene. The story continues taking an interesting twist in the next few chapters. I hope you like it!
Chapter 8
As Po sprinted down the path all he could think about was getting Tigress back to the palace. Things like "My legs are getting tired" or "How much further is it?" didn't even register to him. Tigress was hurt, and all that mattered to him at that moment was getting her back to the Palace. With that in mind Po kept running, never slowing down except to dodge a villager or two. As he approached the center of town it was getting more crowded. "OUT OF THE WAY! DRAGON WARRIOR COMING THROUGH!" Po shouted, as the villagers scurried out of the way with looks of concern and confusion.
Po was coming up on the noodle shop when he noticed his dad standing outside wondering what the hubbub was about. "Po! What's going on!?" asked Mister Ping. "Talk Later Dad, gotta run!" Po yelled behind him as he passed the shop not skipping a beat. Tigress was still in pain but noticed they were now coming up on the Thousand Steps. She knew Po would have a hard time with them. "Po you should stop and rest…"she began only to realize that the panda wasn't slowing down. Po looked down at her with a look of determination. "I'm not letting these stupid stairs slow me down this time…" as Po held Tigress closer to his chest so as not to jar her injured leg unnecessarily. And without slowing down, Po began to ascend the stairs two at a time.
Tigress was astounded. Po usually got winded after the first hundred steps or so yet here he had cleared the first half of the stairs in no time flat. Where did he get this much stamina from? Tigress thought to herself, as she winced in pain, yet again. Po noticed and looked at Tigress with a look of pure concern as he slowed slightly to reposition her to make her more comfortable. "Sorry Tigress I'll be more careful, I swear it!" Po said as he continued climbing the stairs. They had almost reached the top and Tigress couldn't wait. "Po…" She started. "How did you build up so much stamina?" Po looked at her with his serious face again. "Later Tigress, I promise I'll try to explain it after we fix your leg." Po replied as they reached the palace gates.
Po kicked open the giant doors and immediately headed towards the barracks. Once Po passed the kitchen he made a right turn down the hall and began toward the palace infirmary. Once their Po laid Tigress down, positioning her leg so as to no cause her pain, then he went to fetch some hot water, some clean rags, medical wrappings and jar filled with a special paste that smelled real bad. As Po returned to tigress with his supplies he knelt down in front of Tigress and began to roll up her pant leg so as to be able to reach the entire injury. As Po rolled up the pant leg he saw the extent of Gor's damage to his friend. There was quite a bit of blood but Po couldn't see any bone fragments sticking out. Hopefully that's a sign that it's not completely broken Po thought to himself as he soaked a clean rag in the hot water and began to clean up Tigress's leg.
Tigress watched in silence as Po began to clean up her leg, being extra careful not to apply the slightest pain to her. How can someone who can turn into such a fierce and heartless warrior one moment become a kind and gentle caregiver the next? She thought to herself. As Po finished cleaning off all the blood he reached for the jar of that awful smelling paste. "Ugh... Po, what is that stuff!?" Tigress asked as she waved the aroma out of her face. "Viper showed me how to make this after I first got here…" Po told her. "I was getting beat up so much that she would apply this stuff to my injuries. It dulls the pain at first then kind of takes it away. I think she got sick of making it for me all the time which is why she showed me how to make it myself." As Po began to apply the paste with his bare paw, he was careful not to put too much pressure on Tigress's wound. Tigress winced at first but not from pain. Po looked up at her with a concerned face when Tigress said. "It doesn't hurt… it's just really cold." Po smiled, clearly the paste was doing its job, and he went back to work. After Po finished applying the paste he took the clean medical wraps and begun wrapping up Tigresses leg. Being careful enough not to apply too much pressure but also making sure the wraps were nice and secure.
Once Po finished he stood up and took the bloody rags over to the discard bin, he began to clean up his hands and put the supplies away. "So Po, when did you become such a physician?" Tigress inquired. Po turned around to face her and leaned up against the table. "Honestly, ever since Tai Lung." Po told her. "When Crane flew you guys back I wasn't able to help you at all. All I could do was stand there and watch as Shifu hit your nerve points." Tigress could tell there was more coming so she remained quiet. "So after our battle I started studying medical scrolls both from the hall of heroes and the village Library. Viper even showed me how to dress a wound properly and Crane told me about some medicinal herbs and plants that grow around the palace." Po looked at Tigress in the eye. "I decided that I wanted to be able to help my friends should they ever get hurt. Especially if Master Viper or Master Shifu weren't around I'd at least be able to do something for you guys." Satisfied with his answer he turned around and finished putting the materials away then walked over to Tigress.
"Okay…"Po started. You shouldn't put any weight on that leg for the rest of the day so I'll take you to your room to rest, then I'll go and make some dinner for everyone." Po started to pick her up again. "That's okay Po, Just hand me that crutch, I can get to my room myself." Tigress looked up to see Po's Face all solemn. "Tigress please… I've cleaned up your leg and dulled its pain, but you could still be seriously hurt. Please, let me take care of you…" Po pleaded as Tigress looked into his giant jade green eyes so full of concern for her, she conceded. *Sigh* "Fine, but just this once, and only because you look so damn pathetic." She smiled as Po gave her a warm smile in return and he began to lift her up in his arms holding her close again as he carried her down the hall to her room.
Upon reaching Tigress's room Po slid open the door with his foot and walked Tigress over to her bedroll and carefully set her down. "Be right back." as Po turned and ran across the hall to his own room returning with a big pillow in his hands. As Po knelt down next to Tigress he carefully placed her leg on the pillow to make her a bit more comfortable. "Alright..." Po started "I'm gonna go start dinner now. When the others get back I'll send Viper in to check your leg just to make sure I didn't miss something. If you need anything at all just holler and I'll come running." "Thank you Po." Tigress said as the Panda bowed to her and exited her room leaving the door opened just slightly, and Tigress alone with her thoughts.
Well there you have it. I'll be interested to hear what you guys think but either way I'm continuing on with this direction. Next Chapter coming your way ASAP!
