Okay, everybody, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it.

Chapter—Jing's Decision

The old goat had been given a spare room to sleep in for the night, which he had gladly taken so long as it was a distance away from Po and Jing. Despite having an almost worship-like fascination with the Dragon Warrior, the goat seemed too frightened by pandas in general to want to be near them for any period of time. Jing had noticed that he shook with fear whenever he or Po had tried to speak with him.

Now, he sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, trying to calm himself, to quiet the fearful and angry storm that plagued his mind. Somehow, he had known that news of Liang's cruelty would one day reach the Jade Palace. When the goat had first arrived, Jing had been convinced that he was a messenger, telling Jing that his father had ordered him to return home. To learn that he had actually simply run away from Liang's rule was another matter entirely.

So, he was starting to ask himself a single question—were they going to interfere with Liang's rule? The idea had been tossed around, but Shifu had not given any definitive orders. Simply that something needed to be done. Right now, he was meditating by the reflecting pool, trying to find a solution. And Po...

Po had been very outspoken about dealing with Liang. Undoubtedly, they were going to do something, but Jing wondered if he wanted them to go. Somewhere in the back of Jing's mind, he wanted to be one that stopped Liang, the person who brought peace to his abused subjects.

He huffed—meditation wasn't working the way it should've. It was supposed to make him think more clearly. Right now, it just muddled his own thoughts as they began to shift to Po. What would Po's take on the situation be?

Standing, Jing left his room and tiptoed down the hallway toward Po's room. He carefully tapped the paper screen and, almost immediately, heard something stir from within. Another gentle tap, and Po's tired, dry voice came out, unintelligible as he woke. The door opened and Po stared at Jing in amazement.

"Is something wrong?" Po asked. Then, with more excitement. "Did Shifu send you to tell me that we're going to stop him?"

"Po... I don't think I want you and the Five to go to that village," Jing stated. Po took a moment to register what had been stated, but Jing continued to speak. "Listen to me—Liang is my father and it's my job to take care of it. I'll handle it."

"You can't handle it alone. Firstly, Shifu wouldn't allow it, and—"

"But Po—"

"—do you really think—"

"—I can handle it if you let me and—"

"—you're strong enough?"

"I'm sure I can... you think I'm not strong enough?" Jing paused in the middle of his statement, slightly offended by Po's suggestion. "I thought you believed that I was strong!"

"I do, but you've clearly got some kind of issue with this. It's a personal problem for you, and I'm a bit... worried that this could mess your head."

"I'm perfectly fine, Po! And I can handle it on my own. You just have to trust me. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, but—"

"No! No 'buts'. You said you trust me."

"I don't trust anyone you'll come across," Po explained. "This isn't about you. It's about what could happen. It's safer if you work in a team."

"I don't want any of you getting hurt because of me," Jing huffed. It registered in his mind that he sounded whiny, but he could feel his emotions rising quickly to the surface. "Po... You need to understand. I have to do this... It's... It's my problem. I should've handled before. I ran away—I should've taken care of it."

"Are you feeling guilty about leaving?"

The first tear fell and Jing could feel that he was barely keeping back the cascade that threatened him. Was he so transparent that Po could see into his mind so clearly? Jing looked down at the floor—not wanting to let Po see the small teardrops beginning to form in his eyes.

"Po, you don't understand. I feel like I need to do this!"

Po did something strange that made sent trimmers of surprise and warmth moving through his body. He lifted Jing's head so that Jing was looking directly at him before he leaned closer to kiss Jing's cheek.

"Just because you feel you have to do this doesn't mean you need to do it alone..."

Took amazed by the feel of the kiss, Jing was momentarily taken over by a feeling of uncertainty. His resolve was faltering and when he next spoke, the words seemed to have lost the strength that they had previously.

"Okay... We... we can do this together."

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