To all of the readers of this particular story and my other works, I want to thank you for reading and I'm sorry for taking so long with the next upload. Please forgive me and I'll try to be better. For now, enjoy.
Chapter Nine—Po's Response
"It's you."
Jing paused for a second, just to allow the confession to sink in. Already, Po had formulated a response.
"See, it wasn't tha—Say what now?" Po gasped in such a surprised tone that Jing was beginning to feel slightly fearful. He fidgeted nervously as he mumbled something under his breath. "What'd you just say?" Po prodded.
"I... I love you," Jing repeated, embarrassed.
"..." Po seemed unsure of how to reply, staring curiously at Jing who awaited the reply. Then, much to Jing's amazement, Po burst out into a hearty laugh and Jing felt a sense of embarrassment and a small shred of anger at the sound. Did Po really not understand? "That's funny," Po laughed. "Now, tell me what's really bothering you."
"I just did," Jing maintained. "I... I love you. The poem was about you... I'm... I don't know how else to explain it."
Po stood there silently, allowing the words to sink in. Jing had steadily, absently, began to take steps back from Po, suddenly nervous, afraid. Without a word, he turned and started down the hill. Within a few seconds, Po was by his side, his hand on Jing's shoulder. Quickly, Jing shrugged it off, wheeling around.
"Please, Po, I need to be alone," Jing insisted.
"But—"
"Just leave me alone for a little while, okay?" Jing repeated.
Po watched as Jing walked down the hill, left alone with his own thoughts and feelings.
It was a mistake, Jing thought sadly as he lay on his bunk. It had been a mistake to say anything. He should've kept silent or made a quick lie. He could've redirected the conversation away from the awkward topic. But now, it was impossible to take back what was said or who it was said to. And Po, his reaction... Silence. What did silence mean? Did that mean Po was okay with it? Did he hate it?
Too many questions, too many chances for reply... Too many outcomes for a simple explanation.
Jing sighed heavily. Space, he thought as he began to drift into sleep. He needed space.
Facing Po was impossible and Jing found himself avoiding being alone with the Dragon Warrior for any period of time. Po had made attempts to try to reach Jing or even to pull him aside from the others, but Jing was worming away, avoiding any kind of contact.
Time ticked by and Jing found himself almost afraid to be around Po. He couldn't help but notice him, but Jing didn't want to feel this way anymore. Why was he so afraid? What was there to be afraid of? Was he afraid that Po would begin to hate him? Or maybe that he would find out he loved Po even more.
And Po had noticed.
Despite his best attempts, Jing was seeming more and more distant. He still hadn't completely figured out how he felt about Jing, but he couldn't help but want to find out. More than anything, however, he wanted to avoid hurting Jing—the kid was special to him, though exactly how was still a mystery in Po's mind. He wasn't sure if it was just kinship because of their many similarities or...
Po sighed as he walked into the Hall of Warriors. As he had expected, Shifu was meditating by the reflecting pool, though the sight of Shifu's ear twitching told him that his arrival hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Panda, did you need something?" Shifu asked without turning.
"Advice," Po admitted.
"On what?"
"Jing." Shifu gave a small hum, telling Po that he was listening. "He's been acting weird lately. I've tried to talk to him, but he's avoiding me. I don't know if it's something I did or if he just doesn't like me anymore. I'm afraid that it's because of what I did."
"And what exactly did you do?" Shifu inquired.
Po hesitated. "I might've hurt him... badly."
"How so?"
"Emotionally," Po explained.
"How?" Po clenched his teeth before explaining the night on the hill. Shifu nodded as Po explained. "I see. This is a difficult situation. This is something you need to speak with him about. But first you have to figure out how you feel about the situation. Before you actually confront him, you need to deal with your own uncertainty."
"But I—"
"I cannot solve this problem for you. This is between you and him."
Po nodded humbly. "Thank you, Master Shifu."
Po was nervous as he stood just outside of Jing's room. He wasn't entirely sure about how he felt about the entire situation, but he needed to deal with this. He knew he needed to. It was getting to the point where the Five were starting to comment and question and to where it was interfering with his concentration.
He took a deep breath.
"Jing?" he called through the paper screen. "Are you in there? Can we talk?"
There was silence and Po turned to walk away when he began to hear noises from within the room. He steeled himself as the door slid open and Jing looked up at him.
"Yes?" Jing asked nervously.
Okay everyone, here's chapter nine. Enjoy, enjoy. Read and review if you please. Thanks.
