Po, the Love Master

Pt 26: Suspicions and Accusations

by Neoraichu

Shining Eagle joined the others in the dining room while they all were treated to one of Po's dumpling breakfasts. She took up a seat right next to Fenghuang. The looks that they exchanged were only lost on Po. On the other side of the table sat Tigress and Viper. The end seat between Fenghuang and Tigress was reserved for Po. The others, including Scorpion, were at the other end of the table.

"Good morning," said Po as he served Qiong Qi, "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm doing well enough," she replied.

"How's that general anti-toxin going?"

"I must say it's frustrating."

"How so?"

"It appears one can only do so much to treat all poisoning situations," she replied evenly, "There's just too many species and too many poisons. The ingredients begin to contradict or even cancel each other out. Some herbs combine to make their own poisonous situations, or they're just no compatible with the bodies of some species."

"Maybe if you set it aside for awhile, you might see things from a new perspective when you pick it up again."

"I suppose that's a valid point," she replied, "Thanks. I don't know what I'd be doing without you."

"I'm only continuing the work started by Grand Master Oogway."

"Yes, I'm still not quite sure why she decided YOU were the one who should be watching over me when my banishment from the Valley of Peace ended. Your father was surely reluctant to have me around at first."

"I guess I can see what you're really like. What kind of being that you can be when someone's will to give you a chance. I know that just because you're shell is red instead of yellow, that doesn't make you any scarier..."

"Then people already think scorpions are?" interrupted Scorpion.

He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the head.

"I wouldn't have had you as one of my wives if I thought you were scary," he replied cheerfully.

"And that's why I love you so much," she sighed with a smile.

"Po darling?" piped up Fenghuang.

"Yes?" he asked as he looked at her.

"Shining Eagle here," she said as she glanced at the Eagle, "She's been looking for someone to spar with while she's here. While I was flattered that she wished for me or Master Crane to do that for her, we're both kind of busy."

Shining Eagle looked at her like she had no idea what she was going on about.

"I am?" asked Crane.

"Yes, you are. We already have some... special practice... that we're supposed to be doing later."

"We are?"

"You can be a little scatterbrained at times, can't you?"

"I can?"

"Well anyways Darling," said the Owl as she lost focus on the Crane, "I thought that YOU would be perfect as a sparring partner for her."

He glanced at her before he replied, "Sure. I guess I'm not doing anything else today."

"Oh, you're the best darling!" she cooed.

"Why didn't Shining Eagle just ask Po herself?" asked Crane.

"Oh, that didn't seem to be any of my business," she replied as she looked back at the eagle, "So I just didn't ask her that. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do when she asked me to broach the subject with Darling on her behalf."

"Your generosity knows no bounds," sighed Tigress.

"I know!" said Po, oblivious to her sarcasm, "Fenghuang is just so... AWESOME!"

Shining Eagle blinked. Po looked about as if he had said something wrong.

"I mean, Eagles and Cranes are awesome too!"

"He thinks anything with wings is awesome," muttered Tigress.

"Except maybe bats," he replied, "I mean, they are just a little creepy... with the hanging upside down thing... and the funny noises they're..."

"I don't believe we need to go any further than that, Darling," cooed Fenghuang, "But can you be a dear and help her out?"

"Oh sure!" he replied cheerfully, "I'd love to!"

"I told you he'd have no problems helping you," she cooed to the Eagle as she laid a wing over her shoulder, "That's just the kind of sweet caring man I've fallen in love with."

Shining Eagle laughed nervously.

"But since Crane and I won't be busy all day," she continued, "I'm sure I wouldn't mind dropping by later to see how you two are getting along. Po is incredible with Kung Fu, after all, but he still can't fly... very long."

"Po can fly?" she asked.

"Sort of," replied Tigress, "I did show him what I learned about levitation Kung Fu."

"Ah yes," she cooed, "Back when Temutai broke into the Jade Palace while we were gone and tried to steal that... Thundering whatever helmet..."

"I believe we all remember that."

"Well Shining Eagle wasn't there."

"It was lucky those elderly Kung Fu Masters, Miss Gow and Mister Yeung, were there to play Mah Jong with my dad," said Po.

"You're getting off the point, Darling."

"Oh, sorry."

"Now let's get going," she said to Crane as she stood, "We haven't got all day."

"We don't?" he asked.

"He can be precious at times, can't he?"

"Mei Ling sure thinks so," he replied with a smile.

"I thought she only wanted..."

"That's the OTHER Mei Ling," said both Crane and Fenghuang as one.

"Oh right," he mused, "There seems to be so many Mei Lings around here..."

"Only in your mind, Darling," sighed the Owl.

Crane still seemed confused as he followed Fenghuang from the room. Po walked over between Tigress and Viper and kissed them both on the cheek as he said, "Good morning," to each of them.

They kissed him back on the cheek at the same time, causing him to blush a little.

"Aren't they special?" asked Mantis sarcastically.

"Just because you're last date changed into a butterfly and stopped talking to you, you shouldn't rain on their parade," said Monkey.

"Yeah, because you're date with the stuck up daughter of the high and mighty annoying bureaucrat went so well," he answered.

"That's because Po wrote that fake love letter as a way to prank me."

"I said I was sorry," said Po.

"I know, and it never would have worked out anyways. She was really bratty and pushy, just like her father. What mattered was we managed to stay friends in spite of all that happened."

"Can't say the same about Viper's boyfriend," muttered Mantis.

"MANTIS!" hissed Tigress as Viper suddenly buried her face in her shoulder.

"What?!" he snapped, "I wasn't the one who cut him in half with an ax!"

"You can't even throw and ax," commented Po.

"OH SURE!" snapped Mantis at him, "Rub that in my face too!"

"But..."

Tigress scooped up Viper as she hissed, "We should take a nice long bath before we start today."

"What?!" asked Mantis, "Not feeling GIRLY enough?!"

She simply growled as she carried the now weeping Viper from the room.

"That was REALLY out of line," said Monkey.

"Well EXCUSE ME for not being perfect!" he snarled as he hopped off the table and stalked out of the room.

"Wow..." observed Po, "That was... kind of tense..."

"Look," said Shining Eagle, "I'd understand if you're busy right now..."

"No no," he said quickly, "Sparring with you is no problem! I just need a little bit to clean up the breakfast dishes! Why don't you start warming up in the main courtyard and I'll just meet you out there?"

The Eagle nodded as she walked out.

"I'm sorry about Mantis' outburst," said Monkey.

"Hey, it's certainly not your fault," he replied, "Everyone has an off day... now and then..."

"Well, I'm going down to the village today. I've heard some rumors that my brother has been seen lurking around the corners of the village again. While nothing's been stolen yet, I just want to make sure he's not here to cause trouble again... if it is him..."

"Well good luck with that," said Po as he patted Monkey on the shoulder.

Monkey smiled awkwardly as he walked out. Po began to gather up all of their dishes, pausing to finish off the uneaten portions. 'Waste not, want not,' he thought as he ate the rest of the leftovers.