A/N: To all my loyal readers, I just want you guys to know that firstly, I am SO sorry for being out of action for quite some time. Life in the real world has been getting pretty darned real lately and it's getting harder and harder to find time to relax. Second, I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck by me and my work on – off the top of my head (so I apologize to those that I haven't included; I am still utterly thankful for your reviews and patronage), I'd like to thank Nievelion, Luna Goldsun, Joe England, Mind Assassin, SpartanGuy, Jonny Nam, Purpleground, Corset-rebellion-follower, Falcon-Mage. You guys are seriously great.

I made the concept for this chapter pretty much after watching the KFP Holiday Special, so please forgive the lateness in posting the chapter :D


"Ah, damn. How are you doing that?"

Po grinned to himself as he listened to Master Shifu lose to his Dad in yet another round of checkers, a favourite activity in the Ping household during the Winter Solstice Festival. It really was amazing, he mused, how both paternal figures in his life got along so well. Despite the rather distinct difference between the martial and culinary arts, perfection was demanded from both walks of life, which was something his mentors had in common.

It was part of the reason why he nearly tore himself in half trying to keep his responsibilities to them – he held the two men in such high regard.

Sure, he nearly drove someone to suicide as a result of trying to please them both but….

…..well, actually no, that was pretty messed up. He'd have to be careful who he waved to next time.

"Hey, you wanna take a break from that?" said a voice, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up from the iron pot he was standing vigil over to see the smiling face of Master Tigress.

The panda responded with a grin of his own, giving the contents of the pot a stir. "Nah, the dumpling soup's almost done. Gotta have dumpling soup at the Winter Festival, right?"

The striped cat gave quiet chuckle, shutting the door behind her. She sat on a nearby bench, her hands resting on the long table in front of her.

"Panda, the soup's really not going to burn if you sat down for a while."

Po rubbed his neck sheepishly as he set the ladle down and sat next to Tigress, sighing as the bench creaked under his considerable weight.

"Sorry. Just, y'know, trying to keep things running smooth-like."

Tigress smiled gently. "You've done enough. I have to admit, this is probably the most fun Winter Festival we've had in a while."

Po nodded, watching from the kitchen window as Master Rhino continued to regale the children with his stories. "Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I'm glad you guys could make it here."

"Well, I'm glad you up and left that formal dinner when you did," the feline responded with a laugh.

Po stared at her quizzically.

She grinned at his expression. "Honestly, one more dinner where I have to eat every little thing in a specified order, and I probably would've lost it."

The panda smiled at the joke. Another amazing thing was just how….mellowed out Tigress seemed to be lately. She smiled a lot more, almost twenty times this week alone!

Not that he was counting.

"Who am I kidding?" continued Tigress with a sigh, watching the snow fall from the entrance of the noodle shop. "I would've kept wearing that stupid hat and having those ceremonies every year for the rest of my life if you hadn't come along."

"Naw, I didn't…I mean anyone would've…." Po began, but quickly trailed off at Tigress' look.

"What you did today….I don't know how you managed it," she continued. "I mean, the pressure and expectations…."

The noodle chef smiled to himself remembering the hectic workload from earlier. "I couldn't have done it without you guys. And believe me I was really close to just throwing in the towel."

"But you didn't. And because of that, we're having ourselves a hell of Winter Festival," said Tigress, a note of pride in her voice. "Like Master Shifu says, what's inside your head isn't something we always get. But what's in your heart…..well, it's somethin' else."

The panda blushed happily at the compliment. "Thanks."

They were silent for a few moments, the comfortable heat coming from the stove staving off the freezing winter wind. Most of the patrons of the noodle shop had left for the night, leaving only Shifu, the Five, Po, his dad and a few of their friends and relatives.

"Po?"

"Yeah?"

"Soup's done."

The panda got up excitedly as he took a ladleful of dumpling soup and poured the steaming concoction into a bowl. He repeated the action again, ending up with two fresh servings of dumpling soup. He gave one to his feline companion, who accepted it gratefully.

The striped feline took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma of the soup, before a melancholic look graced her features.

"I have something to say."

The panda smacked his lips, having taken a sip of the broth. "Yeah, needs a bit more garlic powder."

"Huh? No, what I meant was…." the feline quickly shook her head, setting her bowl on the table and taking a deep breath. "…I'm sorry."

Po turned from the pot he was sprinkling garlic powder on to look at Tigress curiously. "Uh….sorry? For what?"

"For everything. Just….just for everything," she replied, her head bowed. "I mean, even now, I see why you're the Dragon Warrior. And I guess….I'm sorry I didn't see it before."

The panda looked flabbergasted. "It's fine. I mean, come on, it's been almost a year…."

"Yes, and I'm apologizing just now!" snarled Tigress bitterly. "Gah, I'm such a…."

"Hey, no, it's all good now!" said Po, frantically waving his arms, as if to banish the gloominess overtaking Tigress. "I mean, I didn't see it before! Shifu didn't see it before! No one did!"

"I should've," she replied quietly, sitting down on the wooden bench.

The panda, despite his still burning admiration for all members of the Five, tried not to groan. He was beginning to see why not getting the Dragon Warrior title really chuffed up Master Tigress. She just put way too much pressure on herself!

"No, wait, look at it this way," he said, taking a seat beside her on the bench. "I mean, if it wasn't for everyone busting my chops, then I never would've gotten upset right? Then I never would've broke into the pantry for a bite that morning! Master Shifu never would've figured out how to train me! I would've been nothing but a big fat panda instead of The Big Fat Panda, right?"

Tigress looked up at him, her features brightening up a touch. "I…suppose. I'm still sorry though. I could've been nicer. I could've tried your noodle soup."

With a grin, the panda promptly picked up the still steaming bowl of dumpling soup and presented it to the female tiger.

"Well, let's eat up then!" he said jovially. Both of them took a sip of the broth, letting out sighs of contentment afterwards.

Tigress looked appreciatively at the rotund warrior. "This is good."

"Thanks. Say, did you get to watch any of the folk dances?"

"Yes, Wo Hop took me and the other Masters to see his family a while ago," she explained. "We watched a few of the dancers then."

"Cool," he replied, taking another sip of the dumpling soup. "I never knew you liked the folk dances so much. And that's coming from a major fan here."

Tigress gave a small grin and a nostalgic sigh, picking up a small dumpling with her chopsticks.

"Master Shifu used to take me down to the town square to celebrate back when I was little. But I grew up and well….the responsibilities, you know?"

Po nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I only had a taste of it this one time. You've been at it for…." He began drawing imaginary numerals in the air, mumbling calculations.

"Since I was nine," supplied Tigress helpfully. "This is the first time in a long time that I've had a chance to just relax on Winter Festival and I'm guessing I owe you that."

The panda beamed at the compliment. He then took the ladle and began to fill several bowls with portions of dumpling soup.

"Er, Master Tigress, you mind…"

To his surprise, he saw Tigress balancing several bowls on her arms and head expertly.

"Heh, Fujian White Crane style, opening stance" she said. "Who'da thought?"

The pair exited the kitchen and was met with greetings of approval by the remaining festival attendees. As each visitor helped themselves to a bowl, the feline and bear made their way to the table where their fellow masters had chosen to sit.

"Hey guys," said Po with a small wave, sitting down on a stool. He spotted a small plate of what looked to be mixed vegetables, an oddly viscous dressing covering them.

The panda grinned excitedly, eyeing the plate. "Sweet, who made salad?"

Viper let out a frantic hiss. "Don't touch that!" Strangely enough, she was looking a bit greener than usual.

Po let out a small chuckle, beginning to bring the plate closer to him. "Aw, come on, Master Viper, I can whip you up a new salad in no time. I just need a l'il…"

The female snake gave him a glare and then turned on a very guilty looking Crane and ecstatic Monkey and Mantis. "Those three have been getting your Uncle Yang to spit up things from his nose all night."

Po quickly released the plate and looked at it disgustedly. "There's a whole lettuce leaf in there."

"Yep, I've just invented a new word to describe it," announced Mantis proudly. "Disgustincredible."

Quick as a flash, the striped paw gingerly took hold of the offending plate and threw the contents in a nearby ditch. She made her way back to the table, looking much less green around the gills than she did previously.

The night wore on and as the snow began to fall once more, the visitors began to make their ways home. Masters Rhino and Sheep had gained quite an avid young fan base and promised to come again next time, provided that Mister Ping and his son continue to provide the edibles of course. Wo Hop and his brethren also said their goodbyes, promising to cook again for Po, in much less formal circumstances.

And now, Master Shifu was shaking Mister Ping's extended wing, his determined gaze holding the promise of much improved checker strategies the next time around.

Po was just making his way to the back kitchen once more, ready to let the dishes soak in warm water to be taken cared of tomorrow, when he felt a gentle tap on his lower back.

He turned around to see Master Viper looking up at him with a serene smile.

"You were amazing today," she said quietly, drawing herself higher to better meet the taller warrior's gaze. "Kinda makes me feel dumb for thinking you couldn't do 'elegant'."

Po blushed lightly, awkwardly placing his paw on the back of his neck. "It's cool, I never could've done it without…."

He was cut off as Master Viper delivered a feather light kiss on the side of cheek.

"See ya tomorrow Po," she said, quickly slithering to the exit, trailing behind her comrades.

The event was just beginning to register in his head, when Po noticed a white clad figure had remained standing underneath the arch of the entrance to the noodle shop, still and silent as a tree.

As his mind began to clear, he realized it was Tigress, her back turned to him.

After a few more seconds of silence, she turned towards him, a small, strange smile on her features.

"Happy Holiday, Po."

Before he could respond, she started walking away quickly, the snow crunching beneath her feet.

A/N: Yep, a kinda-sorta cliffhanger at the end there. Don't worry though, I'm definitely planning on continuing this, especially since the TV series and the new movie are looming on the horizon and looking pretty good. Now, I know some of you were expecting Tai Lung to make an appearance here, possibly as a love interest for Tigress. Sadly, I just couldn't find a way to make it happen. So, for a dose of TaiLungxTigress, I'll point you to my other fic Stripes and Spots Shuffles which is basically straight up TaixTigress.