I don't own any of KFP characters or locations. I own only the OCs.
The water in the river ran constantly, filling all the vicinity lacking birdsongs with a slippery melody. The small person sitting on the grass in front of the riverbank touched her small hooves together and rested her nose against them, observing the reflection of the riverside willows with a pensive stare.
I can't do this.
The goat stood up so as to straighten her legs numb from long sitting in the lotus position and shook her arms to relax her muscles. Immediately as the abandoned old wooden houses entered her field of vision, she felt a nagging need to do a certain thing she feared. After helping the Warrior of Black and White and doing all she could do to help Shen, she had decided she definitely should not stick her nose into someone else's fate anymore. Not to mention that nobody was asking her for this intrusion.
But at the same time...
The old prophetess started pacing back and forth to relieve her growing nervousness. It wouldn't be right..
At the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was leaving something important in an unfinished state, and that was something she never accepted willingly.
The Soothsayer didn't notice when she stopped with a blank stare stuck on the grass before her. No... It's none of my business. Maybe if...
Unfortunately, 'ifs' were completely impossible now. The goat started to scratch her hooves against each other in the thought. I mean no harm.
Crucial decisions could bring death or life, pain and struggle or liberation, but were rarely neutral. But if it may bring help... peace...
Guidance...
She looked at her 'hands'; she had spent too much time praying for the souls. Seers had their gifts for a reason. The goat shut her eyes for a moment.
The Soothsayer, not thinking much, made for the nearest road, and let the feeling that she was doing the right thing lead her. The old buildings of the empty town greeted her with a quiet squeaking of their wooden bodies as she was passing by them and the remains of gardens now overgrown with weeds and the untamable bamboo trees. The street, now a long twisty path lost in the grass, opened before her a larger empty space in front of one of the workshops in the village. The street led farther west to the old marketplace, but even from there, she could see the old rice fields, and also in the distance, an ancient weeping willow growing by the vast fenced meadows where the local kung fu masters used to train.
The goat turned to the left, to the closest house by the path. The door, which had been left ajar many years earlier, was moving slightly in the wind now, and through the broken front window, she could see only dark inside. It was that place.
The Soothsayer pushed the door open wider. A narrow strip of the sunlight fell on the floor beside her shadow as she stood in the doorway and the rays ran further into the house. Her eyes followed the light as the goat did her best to resist the thick, heavy feeling that had entered her heart. And not to look around the old bamboo furniture that lay around in a mess. She walked in, putting her hooves on the floor softly, trying not to make any sound in the complete silence. The goat stopped finally by the stairs; her gaze stumbled on something small lying in the dry dust on the floor. Her eyes scanned it with focus through the small glasses. The female leaned down and picked up a small fragment of the tangled and cut solid string that lay there. It was something she was looking for.
She left the house, but stopped suddenly on the small porch as she remembered something. There was a small clump of old expansive bamboo trees growing now so close to the door. After a short thought, she tore off a tiny sprig with young leaves.
The prophetess returned to the place where she usually stayed during her visits in the village. She stopped somewhere in the middle between the riverbank and the old ruined house. Without unnecessary haste, she placed her wooden bowl on the bare ground and slipped her hand into one of the pockets. Everything was prepared. All that plan and that visit hurt. They filled her heart with sad, heavy thoughts, but she was doing the thing she considered necessary. The goat took a deep breath.
The first thing she put into the bowl was the piece of string, very dry and stained with old black remains of blood. The sprig joined the cut rope and she examined the young stem once again. It was interesting how the five long green leaves resembled a little a bird. A bird in flight leaving the string behind. The goat slipped something out of her pocket very carefully. A small amount of white dust glittered in her hand when she silenced her mind.
Now or never...
The goat thought and waved her hand, throwing the powder into the bowl. Suddenly, a short hiss resounded and something dark exploded, right before her face. The force of the burst pushed the female backwards. She almost fell on the ground as she had to cover her eyes, coughing desperately in the choking smoke. The explosion was something completely unexpected, even to her, but she immediately turned her head to see the vision.
A look of bewilderment appeared on her face.
She got up, coughing once again and froze, staring in disbelief at the thing that was hanging above the bowl; the small cloud of thick black smoke remained there, just like that, and almost like remains of a campfire, slowly dissolving in the fresh morning air.
And there was nothing more.
"May I ask you about the reason for your great trust in Zhú?" The red panda asked gently when he and the other grand master were walking around the garden by the barracks in the morning.
Last night when Po's father was telling them about the happenings in the Hideout, he sounded more concerned about his friend's health than angered by her deeds. "Don't get me wrong," Shifu said, "I know that you've known each other for a long time, but after what Heron did..."
"Don't compare them two, Shifu." The giant panda said with sadness. "It was Heron's purpose from the first day to betray us. Zhú was destroyed by the same genocide that took the lives of my beloved ones, but she's always been loyal to me. I cannot blame her for falling under the influence of such a strong vengeful desire she faced. Even the warriors had great mercy for her despite her mistakes. And I can assure you that Zhú suffered more than I did after waking up from that madness."
"But still, she tried to kill you and your students." The blue-eyed small panda remarked in a low tone. "Believe me, it's something serious. Are they really as understanding to her as you are?"
"No..." Master Heng's ears fell as he admitted bleakly. "You have something in common with Tai Lung.. He can't forgive her, either."
Shifu took those words with a stone expression as they walked out from the shadow of the trees.
"I understand him." Po's father admitted with calm. "But I too touched that bird's things and I know how strong that strange power was. Who knows?.. Maybe if I had been the one who gathered those trophies in the camp, my son and my students would be now fulfilling my-Shan's plan, blinded and unaware? Maybe the Jade Palace would be now in danger and Zhú would have died trying to stop me from turning myself into a monster and the noble warriors into murderers? Didn't it come to your mind?"
That's true, too. Shifu thought. Fighting the Dragon Warrior's father would be a disastrous situation... for everyone. The red panda gave the bear last discreet look. "Well," The small master replied, shifting his gaze to the horizon somewhat confidently. "I only wanted to know your feelings. But if you're completely sure that you can trust her..."
"Shifu, I can't distrust her."
"Awesome tree, Po!" One of the maids shouted in excitement as the girls were visiting the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom with the Dragon Warrior.
The air on the top of the mountain was different than in the village. Lihua was already feeling dizzy; she immediately sat down on the ground, not wanting to lose her balance. Climbing the narrow, steep stairs without any handrail was crazy enough. But the view from here was absolutely impressive.
"Tao's finally met her namesake." Duanfen remarked with a smile, looking at her blue-eyed friend, who was pulling the lower branches to sniff at the flowers. Many of the pale pink blossoms were already falling, but there were still some that looked fresh.
Po looked in shock at Tao, who unexpectedly put a small twig into her mouth and started chewing it thoroughly. Along with the blossoms. "Um, the fruits aren't ripe yet. Actually, they almost don't even exist yet. You've never eaten a peach?" He asked, as it seemed extremely sad to him.
"Huh?..." The panda looked at him as though she didn't know what he was talking about. "No, never. I was born in the Hideout."
"Right.."
Duanfen started laughing. "Don't worry, Po. We like eating strange things."
The male looked confused at them. "Like what?..."
"Moss, grass, branches, flowers, leaves..." Tao explained, biting off the last young leaf buds on the torn off branch.
"Roots." Lihua added.
"Yeah."
"Oh." The Dragon Warrior looked at the girls. It came to his mind that they differed from the other panda warriors, then again; Viper didn't resemble a warrior either, but she was one. And the legendary Dragon Warrior's strict berry diet didn't seem so strict anymore now. But that thought left him when Duanfen and Tao exchanged a bit suspicious looks.
"You never eat them?"
Po scratched his head, baffled by the question. "No. I eat normal things. Flour, noodles... wontons..."
"Po!" Tao suddenly cried out in excitement, startling Lihua, who grabbed her heart in horror. "Could you give me some peach tree stones so that I could plant them one day in the Hideout?" She glanced at his own Peach Tree Sapling. "Or a few seedlings, like this one!"
"Sure, Master Shifu has a lot of stones!" Po grinned at the offer. "Listen girls, I've got an awesome idea! What would you say to a small party at my dad's restaurant? We'll cook something, the pandas would get to know everyone... We must wait for a reply from the general anyway. And Tao could finally try some peach preserves!"
"Yeah!"
It was funny that the longest stories could be told with one word, one look or sometimes even with one still image. The tortoise who held the staff made of peach tree wood in the old painting looked so calm, although the picture itself seemed to tell a whole tale of many years. The state of the panda who was watching the Grand Master looked similar, but it rather balanced on the edge of depression.
It didn't bother Zhú, not anymore. But she sometimes regretted that she couldn't talk to Oogway personally. She needed to talk to someone, but nobody around seemed as right as the teacher who had taught the teacher who had taught the panda who used to teach her. Oh, well...
The morning was slowly turning into noon. She had got up later than usual. Much later. She must have needed some extra sleep after what had happened in the village and after the long and exhausting travel with overnighting in a tent. As it turned out, the meeting at night had run on terribly, but in the morning, when the students were up again, they fortunately found something to do in the Training Hall. So they rolled up their sleeping bags, leaving the Hall of Warriors quiet and empty.
Master Heng probably was still asleep. Wandering to the Palace, Zhú had spotted Shifu in the distance. He was giving his messenger something small and the goose flew towards the village, disappearing behind the wall. A letter to the general, for sure.
The Hall of Warriors was indeed an exceptional place. The mountains on the horizon that could be seen from the terrace looked very peaceful, the sunlight spilling into the vast Hall and illuminating the Gold Dragon carried something that could awake the deepest awareness.
Zhú's gaze dropped to a spot on the floor in front of her. Although the shiny surface was covered with sizable ornaments, it reflected her face almost like a mirror. The bear squeezed the bamboo staff in her paws, leaning on it and scanned the face of the sad panda watching her from the reflection.
She looked old. Or maybe she just was old. The child from her dream returned to her mind again. Too late... The female adjusted her paws on the staff as the realisation dawned on her, leaving a painful feeling like a wound invisible, but open forever in her heart. It was too late.
I have not much time left anyway.
Some shouts echoed in the distance outside, probably in the Training Hall courtyard, as the panda warriors were enjoying their free time with the Furious Five in there. The voices reached the Palace, blending with the silence inside and disappeared eventually, leaving warm memories of the old days in the school valley. The female took a deep, refreshing breath.
The moment when dreams died and needed to be abandoned was definitely the worst point in one's life. But after losing the dreams and hope, all that was left were tasks, purposes, skills, possibilities... And her old decision made in the Hideout; it was still there.
Maybe I was never destined to be someone else, to live like others. So it's time to forget. My body deserves respect.
I'm a warrior, a teacher... I have a different life... and my work to do.
The panda sighed. Surprisingly, the thought she came to soothed her heart with a strange calmness.
I was broken.
I suffered a lot.
I couldn't have my own family.
But... I managed to love.
Voices and steps disturbed the fragile silence in the Hall when several servants unexpectedly walked in. Zhú automatically touched her paw to her face and wiped away the tears that had left wet traces on her fur. She shook off the remains of her farewell and left the Hall hastily.
Tai Lung adjusted his sleeves and the robe's edges on his chest. His fur was still wet, but who cared when it was so warm? It was a strange hour to take a bath, but with all those guests at the Palace, it was difficult to find a moment when the bathhouse for the warriors was unoccupied, even though the females and the males bathed in small groups.
"We didn't have enough time to talk yesterday."
The panda lifted his eyes, surprised to hear the feline's voice. Tigress was sitting on the low stairs leading to the barracks. He hadn't expected to see anyone on this side of the building now, hence he automatically smiled, seeing the trusted warrior's presence. He had no idea that the calm smile she was wearing was rather a rare sight, though.
"To talk?..." Tai asked, approaching the Furious Five's leader. The big panda finally turned round and sat beside her so close that his arm brushed against hers, but she didn't move, as somehow it didn't bother her at all. Tai Lung sighed, looking away. Judging by his slight frown, something worrisome was on his mind. "..Haven't you had enough of the last incidents?"
"I admit, it wasn't the best day of my life when Deshi came here and started talking something about war." Tigress said, her face slightly breaking into a real smile and she wasn't able to suppress it. She couldn't help. It was that panda's wet fur's scent. "But before a response from the general arrives and bang goes our good mood, we can talk about us." The feline offered. "Without Master Zhú and.. evil spirits."
"Gladly." The bear grinned automatically.
She looked at him, though rather with seriousness. "What's happening in your life? Any plans for the future?.."
The panda shifted his gaze from her face to the dry leaves and branches scattered around. "You're surprising me a little with this question.. but you're right. I've been thinking of my life recently. I had a lot of time during the travel."
"Will you have your own students?"
"Actually," The bear stated genuinely. "I kind of envy Chen such a loving family. I may be very busy as the master of the Tea Palace one day, but I realised that I shouldn't devote myself entirely to my work. And you know.. however strange it sounds.."
"Yes?"
"I made my decision that when I return to the Hideout, I'll look for a wife."
"...wife?"
Tai lifted his eyes and looked at the female, puzzled a little by her tone. She looked very confused indeed, though he wasn't sure he understood her reaction. "What?.. Wouldn't you want to have children?"
The feline nodded. "Good luck." She threw in the tone irritated teachers used as she got up.
"Tigress?..." Tai turned his head, staring at the female, who was walking away, leaving him there just like that. I said something wrong again? He got to his feet immediately too. "Tigress, wait."
The panda said as he caught her up before the entrance to the building. "What angered you so much? OK, I may not be an expert at behaving in this world, but isn't it normal that I want to have my own family too? And children? Well, I even.. should have."
"I'm not angry with you." The feline replied very slowly. She stopped by the wall, but she cast her eyes down, trying to find better words. Tai couldn't resist the impression that she seemed awfully... disappointed and it was upsetting.
For a moment, the bear felt and looked as uncertain as she was. He didn't know why, but he felt a strong need to embrace her, but he didn't do it, not seeing any sign from her. Maybe he shouldn't have been talking about making a family like about going shopping? "You know, our life isn't always happy..." He began with true sincerity in his voice. "There aren't many giant pandas left in the world. If we are to survive, we'll have to make some painful decisions from time to time. And my family..." The panda sighed. "I'm the last of them, I feel responsible for continuing my family tree."
"Sure." Tigress nodded with a strange thoughtful expression on her face. "I understand it."
Paradoxically, after her reply, Tai was even more confused. "So.. if you understand it, what about your genes? I thought tigers were very rare too."
"I'm from an orphanage." The feline stated with a baffling sincerity. "I don't care about my genes."
The panda looked at her with wide eyes. As he stood there, he was too stunned to believe what she had just said, that statement seemed simply too stupid for her. "How can you say that? It's your obligation to pass the blood you were given by your parents. Tigress, I know, maybe you didn't know your mom and dad, but whoever they were, they gave you life. You owe them something."
"If there's a person I really owe something to, it's only Shifu. And earlier also Oogway." The feline stated firmly. She blinked, assuming a bit cold attitude and explained indifferently. "My parents abandoned me. I don't feel responsible for passing further the genes of someone who didn't care if I ended up in a brothel."
"Can you really be sure they 'abandoned' you? Maybe they died, or your mom was just too poor to take care of you."
"Did you really ask this question?" Tigress looked at him disbelievingly, especially seeing his genuinely confused expression. "What planet do you live on?"
...
The other warriors must have found more interesting activities, since Tigress and Tai Lung found a calm shelter in the kitchen where they could talk in private. The panda bear, with an uncertain expression on his thief-like face, sat in silence, watching the feline as leaning back carelessly in her chair, she stared at the surface of the empty table top. Her eyes gazed down at the wooden piece of furniture, gleaming like two ambers with a sad calmness or indifference.
"I never talked to Shifu or Oogway about my parents." Tigress began, folding her arms across her chest. "I don't know why. I think I didn't need it when I was younger; I had been in Bao Gu since I could remember. And suddenly, I had my teachers, friends, home, a lot of things to learn and I was very content with that distinction. They never talked about my past either. But when I was seventeen, one day, I just left the palace and went for a walk... to the orphanage where I used to live." Tigress paused and sighed with effort under her folded arms. "I was going to ask about my parents. The woman who used to know me was very old and didn't work there anymore. Fortunately, she still kept in touch with the orphanage and sometimes visited the kids. On the same day, I went to the neighboring village where she lived."
"And?" Tai asked in the tension. "Did you find her?"
"I did." The feline muttered. Her calm orange gaze remained on the table as she spoke dispassionately and more and more reluctantly. "I don't know what I was expecting; a story about murderers, fire... But the truth.."
"...What?"
"The truth turned out to be very prosaic. I was in Bao Gu for the same reason most of the other girls were there. Because our parents didn't want to have daughters. Mine didn't want me."
Tai exhaled with impatience and disbelief. Not in Tigress's words, but in disbelief over the whole childish parents' attitude. "What's wrong with these people? They wait for their babies for several months and then just leave them like that? And... little female tigers aren't useless creatures. Shifu taught you how to fight, for example. And I'm sure it was easy, you're very strong."
Tigress shrugged helplessly as she felt a bitter taste in her mouth at the thought that all that painful talk was about none other but the place she lived in and fought for... her own country. "But they waited for sons, not for us. It's normal here. Even the people born in the upper class seldom try to change this order, so who would support the part of family which means less to the law, inherits almost nothing, leaves home to serve someone else and even needs a pretty face, unquestioned virginity and a good dowry to be an attractive candidate to do so?" The feline's rhetorical question left an uncomfortable silence in the room. She sighed in tiredness. "You have no idea how... debilitating it is to live in a world where literally everyone tries to make you believe that you are and will always be something intellectually deficient."
"So why don't people just.. educate their girls? It would change much."
"What for? To lose free servants? Besides, do you think that anyone other than several kung fu masters would waste their time and money to educate those who were born stupid in order to serve obediently, bear sons and look nice? To educate someone who can't even hold a candle to a male? Haven't you heard? The best daughter is inferior to the worst son."
Tai suddenly twitched, feeling a stab as though someone had nailed his foot to the floor.
"...So. If I was ever to have a child, it would be a girl. An adopted one." Tigress explained and sighed, maybe feeling a little better. Or maybe she was too tired with the reality to feel something else.
The panda nodded his head, pondering on the plan. "It seems to be a great idea, to help someone who cannot count on it." He remarked. "You have a big house, friends and family, the donors willingly provide for the Palace to protect people and you could teach kids something good. But..." Tai gave her a questioning look, thinking aloud. "you haven't adopted any child yet?... You don't feel ready?"
"Hmm.." Tigress gave him a look, somewhat pensively. "You're right. I shouldn't have waited."
Tai Lung squeezed his paws together under the table, playing with his fingers awkwardly. Something in his heart hurt when he realised he had just taken part in one of the most mysterious conversations in his entire life. The feline's gaze slid up to his face unexpectedly. "How does it work in the Hideout? When a child becomes an orphan?"
"Well, we don't have an orphanage.." Tai concentrated and began. "Usually, the child's distant family adopts it. Or its closest neighbours, like the farmers took in Li Mei. Also, as far as I know Master Heng, he would surely find a place for an abandoned child in the school if there was really nobody to take care of it." The panda grinned suddenly. "But I can hardly imagine someone who wouldn't want to adopt a young panda. Even if it was a girl." Tai added. "You know, we can't allow ourselves any losses." Tai and Tigress exchanged amused grins as the female chuckled.
"Po's father.." She began in a more serious tone. She lifted her gaze again, but her look was different than a minute before when she changed the topic. "..it seems he still trusts Zhú much. He forgave her betrayal." She remarked. "And you..."
"..And I find it hard to be such an optimist." The panda stated, returning the meaningful look.
Tigress nodded. Now they understood each other.
Master Heng looked with sadness at the picturesque village and the adjacent fields. Time passed so fast in this beautiful place; it had already been a few hours since his talk with Master Shifu in the morning. From the top of Jade Mountain, the fantastic roofs and streets looked like they were sinking in the dark green shadows of the mountains and the soft, orange lights of the warm afternoon. The Valley of Peace truly deserved its name.
The giant panda sat more comfortably on one of the large stones surrounding the old meandering stairway which led to the barracks. It wasn't a garden, he supposed, since the grounds, steep, dry and hard, were full of bigger and smaller rocks. There were also a lot of ancient trees, bushes, and silence, since the place was located in a certain distance from the palace compound. Heng and Po had found that place when before going to the village, they needed a moment to talk in private... and really in private.
"I had a terrible nightmare when we were staying near the Old Village..." The bear began, trying to recall the details from the dark spaces of his memory. "Someone was trying to scare me, but I can't remember who. Maybe some wolves..." He said quietly. "They made a panda skin... It was supposed to look authentic." He explained to his son, who sitting on a stone in front of him, was listening in silence. "And it looked real, indeed. It had a black and white fur, ears... but there were no eyes... They loaded it into a cannon and fired. And... It was falling into a river and it looked like you. Then I saw more and more skins. Fire, and a whole rain of dead pandas. They were falling into the river like old rags and they all looked exactly like you. And I could only look at them. And cry..."
Po, with his paws pressed together and an uneasy expression on his face, cleared his throat. "That was... hard."
The master buried his face in his paws, but ran them down it, letting out a long sigh. "Sorry, Po. I don't know why I'm telling you this.. At least that's why I told you yesterday that I was scared."
The younger panda saddened at the memories that had caused his father's bad dreams. "Nightmares..." Po said. "Who doesn't have them? Shifu says they lose their power when you talk about them with someone you love. And you know what? It really helps."
"With someone I love?..." The older panda repeated, squeezing his left paw with his right claws nervously. "And that's what I wanted to talk with you about." Heng began in such a mysterious manner that his son started to worry, although he really didn't want to. "Po, I have.. a big problem and nobody who could help me."
"What problem?.."
"I think.." The older panda lifted his eyes for a short moment, but quickly lowered them back. "...I think Zhú is in love with me."
"WOW!" The Dragon Warrior exclaimed in shock, almost falling from the stone. A knowing grin appeared on his face immediately afterwards. "I knew it! I knew you were omitting something last night! But wow. WOW. She really can wait long! How did you find out?!"
The teacher froze, staring at the other panda, stunned too. "Po?... You're not surprised at all?"
"OK.." Po smiled, lifting his paws. "I think we don't need these secrets anymore. Ming told me."
"MING?!"
"Your students noticed something about... six years ago?"
"Six!" Master Heng hid his face in his paws again.
Po, almost bouncing on the stone from excitement giggled in a genuine, uncontrollable amusement. "Oh, but Dad, you must tell me everything! Did she tell you something? When? How?"
"On the cliff, when she was trying to kill me." The older panda started, rather in confusion than anything else. "Actually, she didn't explain much. She just.. kissed me."
"...seriously?" The younger warrior looked astonished for a moment. "Damn. I didn't know that pandas.. that she could be so.. no, wait. I already knew. But still... Wow."
Master Heng sighed. "That's not funny, Po." He said seriously. "I have no idea what to do now. I actually haven't talked with her since... that-moment-on-the-cliff. At least not in the way I should. And I can't... I have no idea how to talk with her."
"Hm.." Po scratched his chin. He lifted his eyes and swept the trees and the building with his gaze as he had to consider something carefully. "The last time when I asked you this question, you didn't actually answer. So... Dad." Po settled his gaze on the other panda's face. "I'll do it again. Do you like her?"
"I..." The older bear let out another sigh of frustration. The whole thinking work started to weigh on his heart and it hurt. "I think that she's beautiful. Wonderful. Physically and..." The male patted his chest. "inside."
"But?..."
"But I don't think I'm someone who has a right to like her in such a way." The Grand Master stated, lowering his head in resignation. "It's not right.. You see.. If I could be with Zhú, it would be like I could as well be with Ming, our servants or any other female from the Academy."
"No! That's not the same!"
"Po, she was only thirteen years old when I met her. And later... I was her teacher. The genocide had left us both hurt and scarred. She had no other way out but to trust me and I took care of her. And you can believe me, Po, it's hard to me to think about her as someone more than a student. A friend. And a sister."
Gods, how I feel sorry for her... Po rested his elbows on his knees and leaned towards the other panda. "And that's the thing you have a problem to understand, Dad." He said, though he tried to be gentle. "She's not that teenage girl anymore. And fortunately, she will never be. By the way, how old is she now?"
"Almost forty."
"See?... It's been many years since that day your paths crossed. It's normal that something may have changed between you two. I know, she used to be your student, but such things happen too in the world, Dad. Haven't you really ever thought before that you could be with her?"
"Of course not."
Po rolled his eyes as he insisted. "But if you had never been married, if the genocide had never happened and you hadn't known her before, do you think you could fall in love with her?"
The question, despite its hypothetical nature, still sounded too unreal to the master. "I think..." He started, trying hard to work up enough courage to be honest with himself. "I think it's very possible.."
"I knew it." The younger warrior stated with a triumphant smile.
"...we've already had a deep relation.."
"How?" The younger panda asked in confusion. "You've just said-"
Po's father tilted his head when he saw that his son wasn't getting it. "It was a spiritual relationship. A purely platonic love."
"Sure! Especially from her side." The Dragon Warrior grinned automatically, but he immediately stopped, seeing the older panda's disapproving look.
But on that occasion, something came to Po's mind and he cleared his throat. "Um, Dad..?" He asked, lowering his voice discreetly. "Do you sometimes..."
"What?"
"..you know..."
"What?..."
Po felt a visible blush appear on his face when his father was still looking at him baffled, apparently not understanding what he meant. He looked away, scratching his neck in abashment. And yet a moment earlier he thought he was too old to be shy about such topics. Man, he's a saint or what?...
"Po..." Master Heng gave him a mean smile. "Giant pandas don't think of these things too often."
The Dragon Warrior inwardly let out a sigh of great relief. So it's normal!
The older panda rolled his eyes suddenly as he returned to the topic. "...let's get real, she doesn't need such an old male like I am!"
Po hid his paws into his sleeves, sending his father an insolent grin. "You were always older than her, yet it didn't stop her from falling in love with you." He teased. "I even presume that your age... may be a strong asset here!"
"Dear gods. I'm starting to appreciate the fact that I didn't know you when you were a teenager. You must've been thinking only about one thing all the time."
"Definitely!" Po laughed. "About kung fu!"
Po's reply put a wide smile even on the older master's face, though it faded a little a moment later.
"Wait a minute." The smile from the Dragon Warrior's face disappeared too when something suddenly occured to him. "Zhú's never been with anybody... she's never been with you... which means she's still..." No, that next attack of silly laughter Po couldn't stop. "Now, that's some story!"
"Po, don't laugh at her. You know who destroyed her life."
"But I'm not laughing at her, Dad! Don't you understand? You're so lucky! She's like a real dinosaur!"
"PO!"
"OK, like a real dragon! Have you ever seen one?"
"At least two so far."
The older male's remark put a grin of pride and pleasure on the panda's face, but he explained. "Now I see what your problem is." Po continued with the same, meaningful smile. "Admit it, you love her valkyriness. Is that it?"
Po's apt word formation forced Master Heng's face to smile; Po was as nosy and insolent as Deshi, not to mention how cunningly they both could judge. That also probably explained why they had made friends with each other so fast. "Maybe..."
The younger panda smiled warmly too, seeing that he had guessed; he liked the way his father was smiling now. Po thought he probably wasn't even entirely aware how attractive he could be. "So... just talk with her. Normally, honestly, like you always talked. Dad always says that when you're unnecessarily afraid of something, you should do it as soon as possible."
The green-eyed panda dressed in black looked away thoughtfully as he got quite serious again.
"Why do you want me so much to be with Zhú? You said she was creepy."
"Yeah," Po admitted. "but I said it when she was under Shan's hatred's influence. She wasn't entirely herself, but with all I know now, many things finally make sense."
The afternoon, which was slowly getting late brought the two pandas a cooler wind. The Dragon Warrior sighed.
"When you told us about her tragedy, when you talked about her, I saw how much she meant to you. I'm surprised that you don't see the potential of such a relationship." Po explained, folding his arms on his chest in focus. "You've been a widower for many years. Zhú's always been alone. She has her inhibitions about being with a male. But... you know her problems." The panda sent his father a meaningful smile. " And you can tame the demon that is biting her."
The older panda shifted his gaze to the distant village, where more and more lanterns started lighting up the streets and shops. It was unexpected, but Master Heng saddened at Po's suggestion. "I tried." He said with some kind of difficulty. "I tried to say goodbye to your mom. But it's not so easy, Po. I think.. I respect Zhú too much to promise her something I cannot give her."
The Dragon Warrior sighed heavily, lowering his head in aggravation. If he didn't know him, he would hardly believe that such an impressive male, strong, handsome, smart and respected could say something like that, especially after so many years of being alone. "So, at least now it's obvious why we're on the edge of extinction." He remarked with certain disappointment. "Ming wasn't right, Dad. It's not Zhú who is dead inside. It's you."
Master Heng rolled his eyes. "Why am I even surprised?... I'm talking to someone who doesn't understand the student-teacher relation."
That remark almost nailed the younger panda to the stone he was sitting on. Po, with a painful stab in his chest and staring in shock at his father, needed a moment to regain breath and remember how to talk. "You know...? That comment was unnecessary."
"Maybe I'm not good at all, Po?..."
The Dragon Warrior frowned, puzzled by that even more unexpected question. He shook his head, at the ominous feeling. "What are you talking about?..." Po asked, looking at him tensely.
The bigger male got off the stone. He straightened his back and turned around wordlessly, making a few steps to relax his body. He finally turned to his son, his white face looking somewhat mysterious in the dark.
"I didn't manage to save our family." Heng confessed, at which the other bear shook his head automatically. "I didn't help Zhú. I imprisoned the pandas.. Evaded taxes..."
"WHAT?!"
"And what did you think, Po? That for all those years I sent bags of rice to the Emperor?"
Po, speechless, scrambled off his stone too and approached the older panda. He looked at him with wide eyes and face pale in horror. "Dad..." The panda uttered weakly. "in China, long tax evasion is punished by death."
The older bear's ears fell a little. He did his best to keep a cool head, but his expression betrayed worry anyway. "Let's not be pessimists.." He said, feeling his heartbeat become heavy in his chest. "I doubt that the authorities or the Emperor would execute me for protecting my people and hiding them from the rest of the world after the genocide.."
Master Heng didn't seem entirely confident of what he had said. His words weren't a great consolation to Po either, although he nodded his head, trying to believe his father.
I hope you're right. Otherwise, I would have to... kill the Emperor.
The evening finally began.
The warriors from the Jade Palace and Po's big family came to the village at Po's and Mr. Ping's invitation. Shifu had nothing against a short moment of relax for everyone, especially since they didn't know what the next days would bring. Tigress noticed the red panda's nervous pensiveness, though. She wasn't in the best mood to have fun either, the same attitude she could see glancing at Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane. The feline couldn't help feeling a bit tense, but not about what the pandas had done in the Hideout, rather about the secrets Shan had carried to the grave. The same secrets Master Zhú and the other teachers had apparently forgotten.
Well, maybe her attitude towards the... Dragon Warrior... had been cold recently, but not coming to the shop would be impolite to Mr. Ping. At least Tigress didn't see any reason to punish Po's father for the strained relations between her and his son.
"Thanks for agreeing to this little party, Dad." Po said, as somewhere in between greetings from the guests he was helping the goose with gathering the empty bowls and plates as they entered the kitchen. "I know we're emptying your pantry, but I promise, I'll talk to Shifu and the Palace will somehow cover at least part of the costs."
They didn't close the door, but the noise was lesser inside as the voices of the warriors laughing and talking with the inhabitants and clinking of the dishes and chopsticks were coming there. The small kitchen was as cozy and messy as always, though to Mr. Ping it was rather a wonderfully unorganized place; those crates of vegetables under the countertop, a lot of dishes, and cups.. bags of flour, groats and rice, jars of dried fruits, mushrooms and preserves, spices, herbs and oils on the shelves blended with lanterns and pictures of Po, Ping and other members of their family.
The gray bird smiled, putting his pile of bowls into the sink with a clink. "Are you kidding me, son? When we visit Master Heng's village nobody wants us to pay for food or anything. Your friends are always welcome here."
"Yeah, I appreciate, but.."
"The villagers are paying."
Po looked bewildered at his father, but returned his knowing smile. Of course. The visit of a horde of giant pandas, legendary bears with mysterious faces and the Dragon Warrior's father himself, had to be a tempting reason for the villagers and the neighbors to come... and leave more money. "...You'll never change, will you?"
"Never." Mr. Ping shook his head, amused. "Go to them, shoo! You'll help me later." He waved his wings at his son. "Oh, and take this!" The goose snatched a jar from the nearest shelf and handed it to him. "That friend of yours will love it!"
The crowd in the restaurant wasn't too big, some of the pandas had gone for a short walk down the near streets to look around. Po took a look around the restaurant too. Everyone was having fun. Well, almost everyone; maybe sitting alone beside an empty bowl, like Zhú was doing it in that moment could be called that. Master Yao, who was sitting at the opposite side of the table, looked preoccupied with his food, while she was drinking water from a cup, trying not to attract attention. And she sat definitely too far from Master Heng and the others, although, as Po thought, she usually showed great interest in the world outside... That travel and all the events must have overwhelmed her. Po tightened the corner of his lips in uncertainty; his father and Zhú weren't on the best way to restore their bond...
"So, this is the peach jam?" Someone asked beside him. "Po, wake up!"
The male unconsciously tore his gaze off the masters and noticed the girls and Tao, who smiling, was examining the jar he was holding in his paws.
...
"...and, remember Po's first legendary blow?" Crane waved his wings when the talk and memories around Po's father's table were in full swing. Some villagers had insisted on telling him something and on that occasion, get some information about the pandas too.
"That blow when the Adversary humiliated him completely?" Mantis asked from the table top; the tiny insect was almost invisible among the bears, pigs, a few sheep and rabbits, only the chopsticks he was holding were moving. "Hey, Po, come here!" He shouted to the panda, who had stuck at the table where Tao and the rest of the girls were having fun, devouring Mr. Ping's peach jam. "When Master Shifu told him he was supposed to defeat Tai, Po tried to run away screaming from the Palace because he thought we were a sect!" The tiny warrior explained to the others, with a broad smile.
"He's had enough of that story." Viper remarked, not hiding a grin.
"That's true, maybe he wasn't successful in the beginning," A pig from the neighborhood began. "but I, for example, was always sure our Po would achieve something great."
"Sure." Monkey, resting his face on his palm, muttered to himself, remembering the times when nobody had believed in Po.
"...that fight with Tai Lung proved that." The villager continued. "Who could've thought that the fat on his belly would save his life?"
"Po had received a thorough training from Master Shifu, don't forge-et about it." A sheep remarked.
"But that Wuxi Finger Hold? It was awesome!" The pig continued and laughed. "We had to gather a group of villagers to repair the street afterwards! Regret that you didn't see the roofs-"
Someone's muffled chuckle, and quite a long one, made them look at the person who was laughing there. Everyone's eyes landed on Master Heng, who couldn't stop himself.
"I just.." He started to explain, putting his right paw on his face. His claws were thick and longer than those Po had, but were not very sharp. "I'll never understand why Master Tai Lung couldn't paralyse Po with a nerve attack. And as a cat-"
The red panda, who was passing by the table, sent him a dark look. Realising he was there, the males from the Five grinned nervously. Tigress didn't look discomposed, but Viper lowered her head and facepalmed discreetly with her tail. Seeing the master's twitching ear, the giant panda immediately lowered his hand and shut up. "Sorry, Shifu."
...
"Dad?..." Po leaned into the kitchen when after a while he could no longer see some of the guests. "Where's Master Zhú?"
"Oh, she was here with some teachers," The goose replied from behind the countertop, drying a washed plate. "They ate a few bowls of soup with noodles and said something about the Hall of Warriors.. That they had to go earlier to meditate there before the students were back or something like that." The male's beak remained open as his blood pressure suddenly rose; he put the plate back, seeing Po's serious face. Especially after the things Po had told him about earlier that day. "Son, is something wrong?" He whispered. "I should have stopped them?"
"No.." The panda said, straightening his back. "No, it's OK."
The bird nodded, returning to drying the dishes. Po heard his quiet sigh of relief behind his back as he turned and looked around the others; a group of kids from the village was delighted to watch Chun, who was showing them a 'trick'. Well, standing on one leg in a soaring bird position, with her arms spread and balancing chopsticks on her claws and nose was probably something that such kung fu masters did effortlessly, but it seemed that some pandas just loved making shows. Po bit his lip in the thought when his gaze landed on Tai Lung. The giant panda had found a quiet place right near the kitchen where he could devote himself to joyous chowing down everything Mr. Ping had created in his kitchen.
"Deshi was right, Po. Your dad is a culinary magician!" Tai grinned, chewing his dumplings with unconcealed delight when Po approached the table. "I'm finishing, I'm not sure.. the fifth portion? You've got awesome flour here."
"And where's he?"
"Deshi? He said something that he needed tea. I think he overdosed on the dumplings. Can't blame him."
"That's even better." Po began in a quieter voice, not wanting everyone to overhear their talk as he sat down on the nearest stool. "Tai, I wonder if I could ask you for help... It's a delicate matter."
"Yes?.."
"We both know that Ming and Chen were right about Master Zhú's feelings..."
The older male looked at him a bit suspiciously. "And?"
"Listen, I want to help her and my father." Po explained. "You've known him longer and better than I do. If you could.. talk to him and try to convince him that.. maybe he should try... with Zhú. I'm sure it would be good for both of them. Well, especially for their hearts."
Tai, who had frozen looking at him at first, shook his head, bewildered by the offer. "NO. Why would I do that? If your father isn't going to 'try' anything with her?"
"Haven't I just said why?"
The older warrior sighed. "If you want to know my opinion, they don't fit together at all. She could drain energy out of anyone with that her... you know.. herself. I'm already feeling tired when I'm talking about her now. Po, your father had a long way to go and he's overcome many obstacles to regain balance. She would totally finish him. He's been alone for years and he's OK so far. But if you want to change it, don't count on me."
"How the hell can you say that?!" Po hissed, staring at him in disbelief. He glanced around quickly not wanting anyone to hear them. "You're talking like she didn't deserve any help. You know why she's the way she is. The torturers made her go through hell, I can't even imagine what she felt! And it wasn't her fault what happened to her and her family."
"No, it wasn't." Tai replied quite seriously, shaking his head. "But it doesn't change the fact that the thing that broke her would have a destructive influence on Master Heng, too. Besides," He added, snatching the last dumpling from the bowl with the chopsticks. "I don't think that someone who tried to murder your father is a good catch for him."
Po leaned back and folded his arms. Tai Lung's arguments didn't sound too convincing... After all, Zhú didn't turn against his father on her own will. And she had no reason to... The old master had known the female for years; they used to work together, he had taught her and even lived with her and it still looked like she was someone dear to his heart, rather than a burden. The Dragon Warrior somehow found it hard to believe that what the other male said was his point.
Po gave the stubborn panda a suspicious look. "You know what I think?... I think your whole dislike is not about what she did in the Hideout. I think you're simply jealous." He began, the other giant panda looked at him stone-faced, chewing the dumpling. "From all the students in the Palace and in the Academy, my father considered only two as his successor. Maybe especially Zhú. You're his experienced student from the Palace, but she had a well-established position among the other warriors from the school. She was his first student and she's older. But she's also a female. Maybe that's what bothers you so much?"
Tai Lung swallowed his food. He shut his eyes, trying to damp down his frustration. He was already getting tired with that day. "...I'm not that shallow."
"Really?..."
"Really. I just think they wouldn't be good together."
"Why not?"
"Because not."
"No, tell me." Po insisted. "It's very interesting."
Tai sighed, upset. His gaze fell to the table, as he genuinely saddened. "You don't understand.. You're not a wild panda, Po."
The Dragon Warrior pulled himself closer to him and leaned on his elbows on the table at his friend's intriguing tone. "And what does it mean to you to be wild?"
The other bear took his paws off the table top and involuntarily leaned away from the panda as he was staring at him with that pair of big, green eyes in an unpleasantly intrusive way. "Po?... Are you angry with me?"
"I'm not. I'm just trying to figure out why you're being so damn arrogant."
That was enough. A cold, scandalized look appeared on the older panda's face before he suddenly stood up, the chair making a sharp, scratching noise. The empty dishes clinked as the whole table was pushed violently. Po flinched at the 'reply'. Tai froze just for a second as he was about to move. He glanced at the table, but eventually, he left it and stormed out of the restaurant, not saying a word.
Chun's eyes followed Tai. One of her chopsticks fell on the ground, although she didn't move. A few of the rabbits looked after the leaving male, surprised by the unexpected exit. Po remained at the table shocked. Probably, like Mr. Ping in the kitchen.
Great...
...
Po ran out into the street. Fortunately, the other bear was not far from there, making his way angrily down the street, to Jade Mountain. "Tai!" He shouted and ran after him. "Wait!..." Po puffed a little as he grabbed the other panda's elbow, catching him up.
Tai Lung swung around to him, pulling his arm out of the grasp. "I know my place, Dragon Warrior." He stated shortly. Po stopped dead staring at him, stunned. "You wanted to know what it means to be wild. Being alone, for example. Pandas love solitude."
The two black-and-white bears stood there, the two pairs of emerald green eyes gleaming in the dark. The white fur on the older panda's face betrayed his expression and Po had a feeling that besides that irritation, something hurt him. "...OK." He whispered finally, baffled. "It was stupid, I know."
"Where did you disappear to again?" Someone's voice spoke in the street. The two warriors looked at the others; Deshi, who had just appeared, was there, and Monkey was coming out of the shop. Tigress, Crane... and the rest of the Five too. Tai facepalmed with a sigh.
Po turned to the other bear again. "I'm sorry for that." He said and scratched his forearm awkwardly. "I forgot you're older..."
Tai Lung took his paw off his face. "No, Po... You don't have to do this." The panda said, uttering the words very carefully. "I'm not your older brother."
"You are." Po stated.
The older bear looked at him with surprise, but the younger warrior didn't say anything more. With his typical sincerity, he simply spread his arms and embraced him.
Tai hesitated, unsure at first, but eventually, he returned the embrace. It was a very genuine hug; he had to admit inwardly, Po had learned how to do it like a real wild panda. And it felt... great to have another brother.
Yet the same evening found the group of young warriors sitting in a circle in Crane's room, or rather in the room where Po and Tai slept temporarily. They were almost all together again. Taking the opportunity that the older masters weren't bothering them, Master Heng and Master Zhú hadn't returned to the barracks yet, they stayed up, talking to late hours and skipping from one topic to another...
"...our population has always been small. There are several reasons, but of course, people had their own legends and theories. For example, there was a belief that some giant pandas could fall in love only once in their whole lifetime." Tai Lung continued, as he leaned back on the floor. "But I'm absolutely sure Ming and Chen are such pandas, like your parents were, Po... I mean, probably." He added quickly, but Po just seemed to be lost in thought, listening curiously like the other warriors, who sat in silence.
"Hey, Mantis," Monkey whispered, amused, to his tiny friend, giving him a knowing look. "Maybe we were pandas in our previous lives?"
Mantis facepalmed. "Monk!"
"I didn't even know that. It's so romantic." Viper said dreamily, giving Crane a gentle nudge on the wing. "Like cranes, or mandarin ducks!"
"...Romantic?!" Deshi spat out sharply. The others automatically shifted their eyes to the wolf as his scandalized tone tore them out of their thoughtfulness. "It's rather cruel beyond imagination!" He reasoned. "For example, there is a panda girl. She falls in love with a guy. Two days later he dies. And what now? She's never going to fall in love again."
"Well, I didn't mean such tragic cases.." Viper admitted, her smile falling. "But you have a point here.."
Crane spread his wings and gathered the snake in a loving, warm embrace. "And I like our strange traditions. Your parents must've been very happy, Po." He remarked, looking in the giant panda's direction.
The bird's words, although he didn't mean it, made everyone look at the younger bear. Po looked back at them uneasily when an awkward silence fell in the room.
"Apropos, Po." The wolf spoke, grinning. "I guess all the hotties in the village are yours. Do you have a girlfriend?"
If the silence that had fallen a moment earlier was uncomfortable, now the atmosphere in the room became thick. And pungent. The panda saw the smiles around him fall in the strange pause.
"Um... It's quite.. complicated."
"It's impossible." Tigress stated to everyone's surprise. "Don't you know, Master Deshi? Po cannot have a wife. Nor even a girlfriend."
Oh no, she couldn't do that. It was like a bucket of icy-cold water to his back. Po felt his blood drain from his face as his heart started hammering in horror while his gaze stuck on the feline's face firmly like in a stone; he saw a trace of a mean, unpleasant smile in her expression, one of those ill-boding ones. He didn't know that his eyes became wider as he was staring at her so tensely.
"Tigress..." Crane's whisper sounded in the room. Tai looked at him; the bird, Monkey, Mantis and Viper looked too serious.
"I'm not a master yet." Deshi said.
"I understand." The feline continued in a very calm voice.
"But, seriously? Why can't you have anyone?" The dark warrior asked, looking confused at the feline and at the panda, who was still silent.
"Po cannot have a wife, because he's the Dragon Warrior." Tigress explained. "It would be too risky if he had someone so close and beloved. Someone could kidnap her or their children and force him to do something bad. And we wouldn't want to put in danger any innocent girl, right?"
"...Oh." Deshi's ears fell, as he said, troubled, to Po. "It never occurred to me. I feel for you. Really, Po."
Tai too saddened and gave the Dragon Warrior a look of genuine sympathy. At least now it was a little more understandable why it was so important to Po that his father have a partner. The younger panda however, rubbed his eyes with his claws and sighed, as though he felt some sort of relief. The weak flame in one of the lanterns winked, and the warm, orange light in the room dimmed. Monkey looked into the lantern.
"The candle has burnt down." He changed the topic gladly. "We need to get a new one."
"Not now, it's too late." Mantis said taking a deep, refreshing breath. A short noise of the door being opened sounded in the corridor as someone came in, the masters or some servant, probably. The warriors stirred at the sounds.
"That's true," Tigress stated, straightening her back. "we shouldn't pull all-nighters."
As wordlessly, Master Heng and Master Zhú went to sleep, the rest of the warriors put out the remaining candles and returned to their quarters; Tigress to Mantis's bedroom, Crane with Viper went to hers, Mantis and Monkey to the latter's room, while Tai Lung and Po stayed in the same place. Soon, everyone was asleep.
Deshi left the barracks. Through the dark of the quiet night, the wolf, at ease and with pleasure, made for the quarters for guests. The door to the Jade Palace was closed; the pandas must have gone to sleep. After all, the teachers had decided to stay with the Army, in the Hall of Warriors.
As he was approaching the building where messengers and the servants slept, the wolf's yellow eyes swept it with a suspicious gaze from the dark.
So, it would be too dangerous if the Dragon Warrior had a family... Deshi thought to himself.
What a bullshit. Shan didn't need Po's wife. A few random kids from the village were enough to force him to surrender.
Something's wrong here...