Chapter 11:Homesickness

I am sorry that this chapter is so short and late but since it's going to be Christmas soon I will be going off on a bit of a tangent for some Christmas fluff but the next chapter will be action packed I gurantee. This chapter is dedicated to all the service men and women who can not be with their families for the holidays. May god bless all of them and return them all home safe.

Everyone in camp was recovering from the cannon incident. Many sat around their fires, tears staining there faces, they had loss many men from the battle with Tai Lung to the destruction of the cannons. Many men loss their best friends in that battle and every one knew that the men and women of Alpha, Delta, and Foxtrot company wanted to carry the burden of the cannons to spare the efforts of their comrades and for that they payed the ultimate price. Incense was burning at the shrines that were erected in honor of their fallen brothers and sisters the towns folk went to pay homage to the soldiers that fought and died for their freedom and safety. Little kids would set roses and pictures on the shines and on the graves that were dug. It was a silent somber night. The only sounds that could be heard were the sobs and crying of the town's folk. But around the time of midnight they held a ceremony where they fired the two surviving cannons that were rebuilt to perform a 21 gun salute in honor of there fallen comrades. The men were all in there ceremonial blues saluting, and blinking the tears from their eyes.

When the ceremony was over people got back to work cleaning their weapons, organizing their supplies, and eating a late night dinner. But many of the men were writing holiday letters and messages to their families back home trying with all their might to not confess all the horrible things that had happened in Yanjing campaign.

Po was sitting in front of the fire he made in front of Sage's tent. Po was crying more than anyone in camp he was in despair;he experienced his first taste of real combat but it was not how he expected it. He thought it would be an easy victory like when he would fight with the five but this was way different. Instead of arresting people for their crimes and occasionally having to knock out a few bandits there was really nothing to compare it to. The only time he had ever taken a life was during his fight with Shen but Po tried to save him but it was too late. But when he was in that battle it was like he wasn't himself he killed people. Sure they weren't innocent people but he went his whole life without taking a life and in this battle he threw his humanity aside and killed 10 people including that archer that tried to shoot him but instead the arrow ended up hitting Tigress. Tigress, Po thought.

A new wave of tears came spilling out of his eyes he had a throbbing pain in his chest he didn't feel like himself he felt like he was someone else. It's thanks to me that Tigress got hurt if I didn't join the army she wouldn't have come to get me. She would have been home safe and now she's out there probably getting attacked by bandits on her way back to the Valley. Po shook that thought from his head. No Tigress can handle herself she is strong, tough, and beautiful. Wait! What?! Po shook his head again. Then the mention of Tigress in his thoughts triggered all the happy memories that he had back home. His life with his dad and cooking for his father's customers. Meeting the furious five for the first time. And all the heartfelt moments he had with Tigress from the time she bowed to him when he defeated Tai Lung and when she apologized for how she treated him at the palace, and finally that wonderful hug she gave him in Gongmen City. When all these thoughts were going through his head it gave him mixed emotions. On one paw I am happy that I still have a family to return to even if Tigress hates me now. But on the other paw I feel like I am forgetting something...something important….oh yeah. Po thought as he realized something sad.

"The Winter Festival" Po whispered so no could hear.

"That's what I'm missing" Po said as he started to notice the air was getting colder and he looked up just as the first snowflake of the season dropped out of the sky and onto his nose.

*sigh* How am I suppose to celebrate my favorite holiday of the year if my family is back at the Valley of Peace and one of my best friends has such bitter feelings towards me. A single tear fell from his chin as he stared at the fire. The pain he was feeling was unimaginable and none of it was physical. After a hour or so of sitting in front of the fire Po doused the flames and made his way back to Sage's tent to go to bed. Just as Po started to fall asleep Sage woke him up. Po immediately woke up with a scream and he got into a fighting stance.

"Po Po calm down it's just me" Sage said with a voice like silk. Her paw cupped his cheek. Po calmed down and sat on his bed breathing heavily.

"Why did you wake me up?" He asked breathing heavily.

"I thought that this would be an appropriate time to give you these" Sage said as she handed Po two packages. Po looked at the packages they were wrapped in festive paper one had the Furious Five drawings on the side and the other had military designs on it.

"Who are these from?" Po asked.

"Your going to have to open them to find out" Sage said with a sweet smile. Po wasted no time in unwrapping his first gift the one with the Furious Five wrapping paper and when he unwrapped it he held a small wooden book and with shaky hands he opened the box and saw a stack of letters for him. He read every one and he was happy to see that they were from Viper, Mantis, Monkey, Crane, Shifu and his dad . The message of the letters were pretty similar in nature. They talked about how much they missed him and they wished him home safe and to enjoy his Winter Festival holiday. But the letters from his father and Shifu had a real effect on him. He read them a loud so Sage could hear them.

Dear Son, I am so sadden that you are gone but I know that you are doing what you were made to do, protect China. And I couldn't be more proud of you. You are the greatest son a father could ever wish for. The noodle shop is doing well but it's like the spark in my cooking is gone. I know you were the inspiration for my cooking and until you return I will seek new inspiration for the time being. Inspired by you once again I plan on finally opening a second restaurant where I will learn to make different kinds of tofu. So follow your dream Po and be there for Sage she's a nice girl. Sincerely your father .

Po's grin widened happy to know that his father was finally going after his dreams it brought him a lot of comfort. Sage could only blush as she heard what Po's father said about her and she smiled too happy that his father thought she was great. Then Po began to read Shifu's letter a loud.

Dear Po, I am sorry you are missing the Winter Festival but I will have you know that even with all the food and fun it almost doesn't mean anything without you. People aren't dancing there's no cheer no joy and I wish more than ever for you to be here. Also I know that Tigress is there with you. Po gasped but he continued reading. But Viper informed me of her situation and from what she told me she loves you and I mean to say a few things to you panda: One I am not mad at you because I know you have feelings for her as well. Two you are to show Tigress all the love and respect that she deserves or else you will have me to deal with. And finally the main reason why I am not mad is because I know that you are a kind,big hearted guy who will give Tigress all the love…..that I failed to give her when she was young. I hope you enjoy your Winter Festival wherever you may be. Sincerely Grandmaster Shifu.

Po was shaken how would he be able to talk to Shifu after he broke Tigress's heart. Sage was also worried because she didn't want Shifu to punish Po just because he chose her over Tigress. Sage was going to say something about Shifu but she saw that Po was so shaken by the letters that they shook in his paws and Sage embraced him to steady him.

"Well I hope you enjoy this gift" Sage said handing him her gift to him. Po unwrapped her gift and saw that it was once again a small box he opened the box to see a a chain with a small key on it. Po lifted it up and said "What is it?".

"It's the key to my heart" Sage said as she made the cutest face she could. Po chucked and replied.

"It's wonderful. Thank you sweetheart your always there for me especially when I'm down. And that reminds I got you something too" Po said.

"What is it?" Sage asked surprised tat Po had remembered to get her something. Po then went to his locker and grabbed a paper covered gift but when Sage unfolded the paper she saw that the wrapping paper was really a drawing of her and Po standing next to each other when they were little it was amazingly drawn and after looking at the drawing she saw that she was holding a 3 pound rock that was a dark blue mixed with red and the rock was in the perfect shape of a heart.

"Oh Po I love it" Sage said as she hugged the panda and pulled him into a passionate kiss. The sat there enjoying their time together. And Po knew that with all the support that he had back home and the love of Sage in his heart he would carry on through the toughest fighting to protect the ones he loved including Sage.

Well that is my Christmas chapter I thought since I will be seeing many holiday one shots in the near future. I decided that I would take a break from my gifts to type this chapter for everyone. I would have updated sooner but the website was down for most of the day. Also I am opening a poll on this story. I want everyone's opinion on this question expressed in the review section for your vote to count. Who deserves to get Po's love in the end? Sage, Tigress, or both. Those are your options enjoy oh and have a Merry Christmas to you all.