A.N. If you were wondering, yes I'm alive. I'm so sorry for not updating, I had major writers block, and I've been spending some time with friends. I'm so happy it's summer! I started to reread some of my favorite Kung Fu Panda stories on here, a few tear jerkers, and a lot of laughs. Anyways, I'll try to update more often, especially since I haven't logged on for almost three months.
Viper was currently slithering to the bathhouse, covered in sauce. While in the restaurant, Po was serving food and kids ran by him, it was the first time he didn't have balance...with food.
She was concentrating on replaying the scene in her head, that she almost missed Tigress, who was still a little wet.
"Tigress, why are you wet?" Viper asked as she slithered along with her to the bathhouse.
Tigress looked at Viper, "Why are you covered in sauce?" She asked
"There was a little accident at Mr Ping's," Viper answered, "What about you?"
"Just a swim in the lake," Tigress said
Then she saw Viper giving her a surprised look, "What?" Tigress asked
"We've asked you to go swimming with us hundreds of times, and when you do, you chose to swim with this mystery friend of yours?" Viper asked
"It's not like I had a choice at first, Mako pushed me in," Tigress said
"Mako?" Viper said, smirking at Tigress, "so that's his name."
'Stupid stupid stupid,' Tigress thought realizing what she had done.
"Why don't you want us to meet him?" Viper asked, "Are you afraid we'll embarrass you?"
"No," Tigress answered, she stopped walking and just stood there.
"Are you afraid that he'll embarrass you?"
"No,"
"Then why?"
"Because I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself!" Tigress shouted, as if she had confessed a crime.
Shifu was taking a walk to the peach tree to meditate, when he heard Tigress's voice.
"I'm afraid to embarrass myself!"
He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but he was just to curious. He stopped where he was, and moved his ear up a little to get better hearing.
"What do you mean?" Viper asked
Tigress sighed, 'here goes nothing' she thought as she faced Viper.
"It started when I was five years old, before any of you came to the palace. I was only at the palace for three weeks, I couldn't complete the training course fast enough, and Master Shifu suggested that I go on a walk to ease my frustration. Then a storm started, I was afraid, so I ran until I got lost and went in a cave. There was already a fire in the cave, I heard a voice, and it was him.
"Only a year older than I was, his clothes were damaged, his fur a mess, and he was all alone. That's when we introduced ourselves, and he told me what happened to him. While he was speaking, the thunder sounded and I wrapped my arms around him in fear.
"Instead of rejecting me, he hugged me back, and comforted me until we both fell asleep. I never felt so safe with anyone else like I do with him, and he is so easy to talk to. After the storm ended, I was going to leave, but before I did we promised to be friends, and to see each other again. We only see each other every few years, that's why I was so thrilled when I got his message. We've been best friends ever since," Tigress finished, smiling at the memories.
"Mako sounds like a great person, no wonder you've kept him a secret," Viper said
"He really is, I'm not afraid to be myself around him," Tigress said, "please don't tell the others."
"Don't worry I won't, besides you should be the one to tell them," Viper said
"Thanks Viper," Tigress said as they continued to the bathhouse.
There was still one thing Viper couldn't get off her mind, "So, you and Mako are like best friends?" She asked sadly.
Tigress knew where she was getting at, "He's my best guy friend, your still my best female friend Viper," Tigress said
"I'm your only female friend," Viper said realizing most of Tigress's friends were male.
"I'm your only female friend too," Tigress said
"That's what makes our friendship special," Viper said, "Now come on, let's wash that lake water off of you."
"And wash that sauce off of you, it must be sticky," Tigress said
"Don't remind me," Viper said
Shifu heard the whole conversation, 'telling Tigress is going to be harder than I thought.'
He continued his walk to the peach tree and he sat down.
'This friend of Tigress's sounds trustworthy, and knowing that she feels safe around him, I can tell he is good for her,' Shifu thought as he looked over the valley, 'Mako... that is not a common name, certainly not from China,'
"So what's Mako like?" Viper asked
Both females have already washed up and were currently in Tigress's room.
"He's really caring, smart, and he's not afraid to spar with me," Tigress said
"What is he?" Viper asked
"Shouldn't you know, you've already met him," Tigress said
"I have?" Viper asked
"Yes, 'I have never seen a white tiger before, I'm sure my friend Tigress would love to meet you'," Tigress said mocking Viper.
"That was him?" Viper asked
"Yes,"
"Where were you when I delivered it?"
"I hid in the bathroom, I knew it was you when I heard your voice," Tigress explained
"He seems nice," Viper said, "wait, the others talked to him when he ordered, so we've all met him."
"That's true, I guess it will be easier to introduce him to everyone," Tigress said
"When are you seeing him again?" Viper asked
"In about an hour, were going to a restaurant that he heard about," Tigress said
"What'd you guys do today?" Viper asked, "other than the swimming."
"I almost forgot to tell you," Tigress said, "we walked in the village, and Mrs. Yang offered me anything I wanted from her booth for free. Mako took interest in the bowl of oysters, and she let us choose three with no charge."
Tigress pulled out her pouch, took out the pearls, and held them in her hand. "I picked the first one, Mako picked the second, and we chose the third together," Tigress explained
"Those are beautiful, maybe I should choose an oyster too," Viper said
Tigress nodded, "You should, I got pink, he got black, and there were two silver pearls in the third oyster, so we each kept one," she explained, "I didn't think I'd enjoy something like that but I did, and I told Mrs. Yang that I'd tell you about it."
"I'll go later today," Viper said, "and you should be getting ready now."
"You're right," Tigress said
"What are you going to wear?" Viper asked
Tigress looked at the clothes she was already wearing, "This, I don't have anything else" she said
Viper frowned, "I'll be right back," she said leaving the room. She came back with a box, "I was going to save you this for your birthday, but I think you need it now," Viper said.
"What is it?" Tigress asked
"Open it,"
Tigress opened the box to find a purple blouse type shirt, "Thank you Viper, you didn't have to," she said looking at the shirt.
"I wanted to, and what's great about it is that you could train in it, and you could wear it for events," Viper said, "I'll leave so you could try it on."
About a minute later Tigress came out wearing the purple shirt.
"You look great Tigress," Viper said, "now go meet Mako before the others start getting here and asking you questions."
"Thanks, and remember don't tell them," Tigress said
"Don't worry, I'll cover for you," Viper said
With that Tigress nodded and left.
Mako had cleaned himself from lake water, and was currently changing into dry clothes, then a knock came at the door.
"Just a second," Mako said as he put on his pants, and skipped putting on a shirt. Once he had them on he went to the door. When he opened the door he saw someone who he was least expecting, and made his heart stop. He immediately bowed.
"You are Mako correct?" The person asked
Mako nodded, "Yes sir, to what do I owe the pleasure Master Shifu?"
Sorry it was short, but I hoped you liked it. I've been trying to reread all the stories on my favorites list, I'm still not done, the reason why is because I feel like I've read all the TiOc, TaiTi, and all the father daughter stories out there. If you found or have written one, please tell me, I'm always looking for something new to read. And I'd be happy to recommend a story for you too.
Question of the day: 'Out of all your favorite stories, which one had the most saddest moments?'
One story that almost made me cry a few times would have to be 'Memoirs of a Master' by Luna Goldsun. I hope you guys answer too :)
