Chapter 10

The Jade Palace…

Po's POV

Oogway led Po down a path leading away from the Jade Palace. The night air set a chill down Po's spine but kept a brisk pace with the age turtle.

After several minutes, they arrived at a large moon pool. Po could feel a great sensation of calmness watch over him, and could feel a smile form.

"So why did you bring me here?"

"Here is where I discovered the true meaning of peace and harmony. I wish for you to spend some time here mediate each night."

"For how long?"

Oogway ran a claw along his chin. "Once you discover that which brings you happiness."

Po was about to question Oogway's method but when he turned around the turtle was gone. Realizing there was nothing better for him to do, Po sat down in a lotus position, placed his hands on the knees and began to breathe deeply. Images of his family and friends quickly appeared, the sight brought rivers of tears down the sides of his face, and then he beheld Jiao, and she looked just as lovely and beautiful as when he last held her. The images were too much him. The level of pain he felt wracked his body. His eyes snapped open to the see the sun slowly rising.

"Dang, I've been here all night? Well I might as well get started with my morning work out.

Tigress's POV

Tigress felt rather drained as the morning light flittered through the window. She had not slept well, as her mind kept going back to Po and what happened in the training hall.

Sometime last night…

Tigress was not overly convinced that Po was really what he appeared to be, so after leaving the training hall, she quickly jumped to the roof, her steps as light as possible. She then leaned against a nearby window and her eyes narrowed as she saw Po standing near the steps wiping an arm across his head. She felt foolish for spying on the panda. There nothing really special about him. She was about to leave when all of sudden, Po began running and flipping about avoiding a number of daggers being hurled at him, even managed to catch one without even flinching.

Her eyes shot open with shock. How could he be so fast?

Tigress remained rooted to the roof top, her gaze locked on Po. Just who are you panda?

She was about to storm inside when Oogway led the panda out of the training hall and toward narrow path behind the Jade Palace. A part of felt like following them and get some answers but gazing out at the horizon she was shocked to see the first rays of dawn.

You've got to be kidding me. I've been up all night. Baba is going to kill me if he finds out.

With that she ran off to barracks, her gaze returned to the path and the panda and as the image of Po filled her mind, a purr rumbled through her lips.

Damn it Tigress, stop doing that!

Present…

The gong went off and Tigress calmly opened her door to greet her master. She still tired but her years of training help to maintain a measure of focus. The others acted like wise as it was their responsibility to welcome their master with the morning gong.

As she stood there, Tigress noticed that Po's door had yet to open. Could he still be out there? Her mind still reeled by what she saw last night. A part of her didn't want to believe that out of all other creatures in the world, a panda would turn out to be faster than herself.

Shifu's POV

Shifu's eyes narrowed as his gazed feel upon the last room in the hall, a room that used to—and still rightfully should—belong to Tia Lung, yet now house their would be Dragon Warrior. The very idea of it filled him with rage and caused his ears to twitch. His anger only grew worse as the door remained closed.

"Panda?" Shifu said. An annoyed expression began to form when there was no answer.

"Panda!" he repeated.

Still no answer.

Shifu marched down the hall, passing his ridge students. His ears twitched like crazy and as he stood before the door, the red panda flung the door open and yelled panda once more, yet instead of finding Po sleeping the room was not only empty but looked as though it had not been touched all night.

"So help me panda if you're asleep in the training hall, I'll kick you up and down the one thousand steps all day and night."

Rushing out of the barracks he stormed off to the dojo, followed closely the others.

The main doors slammed open and Shifu stood in awkward silence to a completely clean room. Even the weapon shined reflecting the morning light. Yet there was no sign of the panda.

"Where could he have gone?"

"Master…"

Shifu turned around and gazed up at Tigress. She looked away, her cheeks nearly red. Is she blushing?

"I might know where he is," She said still looking away.

"How?"

"I couldn't sleep," she began finally looking at him, "so I crept out to the Peach Tree to think," she paused as a shudder rolled over her. She knew full that it was a lie, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to say she went to spy on Po. The fear of having to reveal the feeling—whatever they be—she had for the panda was too much to stand. "Anyway, while I was out, I spotted Po and Grandmaster Oogway walking down a narrow path out behind the Jade Palace."

"Truly?" Shifu asked who Tigress quickly answered with a node. "But that leads to the Pool of Sacred Tears. Why would Oogway take—"

Shifu's statement was cut short as he heard a loud crashing sound from outside. "Now what?"

Tigress's POV

Tigress and the others followed Shifu outside and saw Po lifting weight. From this distance Tigress could easily make out he was curling well over 80…No. He's lifting 100 pounds. She began to purr, watching the faint rise and fall his biceps while even concealed by his sleeves.

"Tigress," Viper whispered, "you're purring again."

Tigress shot a quick glare at Viper but said nothing as she went back to stare at the giant panda. Oh what I wouldn't give to see him without the… She slapped herself before finishing the thought. Love is weak, love is weak…oh he looks so rugged.

"Panda!" Shifu shouted, his outburst caused Tigress to jump a little thereby breaking her from the trance.

"Uh…" Po said lowering the weight, "Oh hi Shrimp."

Tigress giggled. Oh he is so funny. Her expression shifted back to normal as she took note of the others looking at her.

"How dare you," Shifu snapped. "As your teacher you will address me as Master Shifu."

"Sorry, Master Shrimp," Po said in a mocking tone. "But I have a hard time saying that. I guess it must be the same problem you have when saying my name." He turned his back on Shifu as he started to stretch his legs.

"Just what are you doing out here?" Shifu demanded.

"Training," Po replied, his back still facing him, "I'm trying to work on my spilt kick."

Tigress ripped her gaze away from Po long enough to notice Shifu motioning for her to step forward. He began to chuckle while stepping up to a pair of stone plate. A smile crept across her face as she was given a chance to show off in front of Po. "You really think you can pull off a complete spilt kick?"

Po finally turned back to Shifu, a smile on his face as he said, "Uh yeah."

"Then you're more foolish than I thought."

Tigress readier herself. Lowering down to all four. She waited until Shifu tossed two of the plates high into the air. She took a quick glance to estimate the distance and then jumped as high as possible. She reached the two plate as they began to fall, though just as she was about perform the spilt kick a black and white blur appeared before her. Time seemed to slow at that point as she gazed deeply into Po's jade eyes. He had a goofy grin on his face and winked as he kicked out in a perfect spilt shattering the two plate. Once then time resume to normal and Po fell back to the ground. His impact left small cracks in the ground. Tigress landed shortly afterward followed by several stone chucks, one of which just so happen to nail her along the top of her head.

"Well I think I did a good enough job there," Po said, still smiling at Tigress. "What else do you have up your sleeve, Shrimp."