And for the very last time, I DO NOT OWN KUNG FU PANDA!

Enjoy the finale!

Home is where the heart belongs

The air was cold and crisp as it blew by. The sun shone in warm light as it struck the empty trees surrounding the student's barracks, filtering through it's windows to greet the faces of the students sleeping there. There was a slight gloomy atmosphere that surrounded the kung fu master as they slowly drifted into consciousness upon feeling the warm sensation on their skin. They still hadn't gotten over the loss of their friend Tigress, and waking up every day knowing she isn't there with them reminded them that tragic day.

Po - surprisingly - was the first to get off of bed. He hardly had any sleep the past three days since the last encounter with the dreadful snow leopard Yuè . He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he gave off a big yawn. He sensed his friends stirring inside their rooms, and he could see their silhouette against the rice paper covering as the sun shone on it.

The gong rang.

All the students of Master Shifu sloppily emerged from their rooms and stood in front of the door frame and uttered a lifeless, "Good Morning, Master."

Po, Crane, Mantis, Monkey and Viper paused and they were suddenly wide awake.

They were staring at Tigress room. And what they expected to be empty this morning actually had someone standing in front of it. A south china tiger...

"Tigress...?"

Tigress smiled warmly at her friends, waving her paw up. "Hi."

There was silence. Then: "Tigress!"

All of her friends lunged at her. Po was the first to hug her since he was just right across her room. Then came Viper, who wrapped herself around her neck and the other three males followed. It happened in a blink of an eye and Tigress had no time to react to it all. She only found herself lying on her back as they tackled her to the floor.

They started talking fast, and Tigress couldn't understand what they were saying. Master Shifu was standing at the end of the Hall the whole time and he had witnessed the entire scene. The Grand Master himself couldn't help but smile at his students' reactions to Tigress' return.

"You're alive! You're alive! You're alive!" Viper exclaimed in indescribable joy with tears in her eyes. "And you're back! Oh I'm so happy you're back!"

The tiger chuckled. "Me too."

"We thought you were dead!" Po said. He too had watery eyes. All of them do.

"We're glad that you're not!" Monkey exclaimed as he hugged her tighter.

"Delighted to know you're back from the dead, oh great and wonderful leader!" Mantis said as he sprawled on his belly on top of her head.

"Don't do that again, please?" said Crane, begging with his eyes.

She smiled at their expression of child-like anticipation. "I won't. I promise." She swore.

They hugged her altogether, this time a lot tighter and bone-crushing that the previous ones. "Guys...c-can't breathe!" she gasped and choked as she tried to speak.

From where he was standing, Shifu chuckled and shook his head. Kids. He tucked his tiny paws inside his sleeves and made his way towards his students. "Alright, that's enough," he said this with slight amusement. "Tigress is still recovering from her injuries. Please conduct your reunion in a gentler manor that doesn't involve any bone-crushing hugs."

The Four and Po slowly pulled away, and wiped away some tears. The panda turned towards the small red panda, "Aw c'mon, Master Shifu! You just wants us give you way so you can have Tigress all to yourself," Po smirked.

Shifu good-naturedly rolled his eyes before exchanging a smile with Tigress. He looked at each of his students' gratifying faces, and his heart soared. "Breakfast awaits." He turned and started for the kitchen.

Tigress told everything she had been through the past three weeks. From her dream on the night of the Moon Festival, right down to how she came back to the Palace. It was a bit hard on her part as she recalled those events, especially when she described the horrid fate that befall Jia, who had to sacrifice herself just so she can arrive where she was. And of course, it brightened her face when she talked about Rao's kindness, his encouragement and his patience for her.

"I really would love to meet this Rao Shu," Master Shifu said as he ate the noodles Po cooked for everyone. "I want to personally thank him for taking good care of you."

"Yeah," Mantis said, stuffing dumplings into his tiny mouth, "he sure sounds great!"

"Maybe I can take you to Bìnàn suǒ someday, and then introduce you to him." said Tigress.

"That would be great," said Crane.

After breakfast, the rest of the day was spent talking with one another amongst the Kung Fu warriors. The rest of the Five and Po never left Tigress' side for just a minute. Shifu went down to the village that day to check on the villagers. The Southern Wind Crane Clan finally left the village when the help from outside the province arrived. They bade the Grand Master and the citizens of the Valley of Peace, who offered them grateful salutes and thanks from the heart.

The rest of the reconstruction continued with the new warriors that arrived to help. Some were even from Lee Da Kung Fu Academy and Mei Ling and her Headmaster made a special appearance. Masters Ox and Croc from Gongmen City also came, saying it was the least they could do after liberating the city. There were plenty of volunteers than Shifu could count.

The Masters were invited to stay at the Barracks, but they insisted to stay down the village to keep a close eye on the villagers in case of danger.

When night time came, and dinner was done, Shifu came to the Peach Tree Hill to meditate. He sat in lotus position, placing the precious peach tree staff upon his lap. A cool night air brushed against his fur like tender paws giving him comfort and he sighed in contentment.

Shifu inhaled a great amount of air and dispersed it out his mouth, repeating the cycle over and over. He never felt so at peace, so assure, so overjoyed in his life. Tigress is finally home, and he will never let what happened three weeks ago to happen ever again. To Tigress or any of his students, for he loves them dearly. Each one of them.

His large ears swiveled to the sound of light footsteps. He cracked one eye open and smiled as he saw his daughter standing by the leafless peach tree. "You called for me?"

Shifu's eyes seemed to glow like hers in the darkness of the night. "Yes, come and join me in meditation."

Tigress walked to his side sat in cross-legged position next to him. She smiled down at her father and he returned the gesture. The two of them then closed their eyes and began the meditating session. The night was calm and peaceful as if there was no evil that existed.

The scent of peach blossoms wafted in the air, and tiny petals softly illuminated by a pale pink glow glided around the Grand Master. Well done Shifu... The red panda smiled at hearing the echo of his dearly departed master's voice upon his large ears. He slowly opened his eyes, enjoying the sight of the village below. Though still not in good shape, but he was happy nonetheless that they were helping each other build a new village, a new life and a new relationship with his students.

He turned towards the tiger beside him. Her eyes were closed and her shoulders rose and fell in a pattern. He placed his paw atop hers causing her to open her eyes and look at him with confusion, but with delight.

He smiled lovingly at his daughter. "I forgot to say something."

Tigress drew her brows together as she returned his smile. "What?'

Shifu's smile widened, his steel-blue eyes shining with loving affection. "Welcome home."

Fresh tears sprung into her eyes. It was the when spoke those words which made Tigress' heart soar. To her, it doesn't simply convey its literal meaning, but also in depth it also indirectly saying "I love you". Shifu needn't to utter the words, for the look in his steel-blue eyes said everything that should be said. She reached forward and pulled him close to her person in a warm embrace, which the red panda returned. Tigress tightened her hold as she whispered against his large ears, "I'm glad I'm home."

The end

Thank you all so much for your support of this story. I know that I didn't really do well with this, but I do hope I'll make up for it in the other stories I plan to publish in the future. Truthfully, I'm rather proud of this fic because this is the very first "long" story that I ever finished. And I can't believe that I managed to produce 37 chapters!

I know I left plenty of questions for you readers. Sorry. There are certain things in this fic that I did plan to be left unanswered, but the majority if just pure carelessness on my part. I'll do well next time.

Once again thank you so much. :D

Epilogue

Rao mounted the last hill to arrive at Bìnàn suǒ. He was tired, hungry and thirsty due to his long journey from the Valley of Peace. But it was all worth it. Tigress was home, and that's all that matters.

His house came into view, which was still in no good shape. Some portion of the small building had been destroyed when those bandits attack, the inside was a wreck but nonetheless it was still livable. He can make repairs later.

The figure of a small mountain cat cub came to view. Xiao was standing in front of the door, waiting for him. The cub smiled when he saw him. He waved a paw to greet his return. "Hey Rao!"

Rao returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm. He crossed the short bridge that was constructed over the narrow river that separated him from the village beyond. The buildings and houses in the village were still in no good condition. The citizens were brought once danger had been averted to their homes to scavenge what they can from their belongings. Those that had died during the raid a week ago were buried somewhere far from the village. No one knew that it was because of a certain tiger was the cause of that tragic day. But he had no plan to tell them, he wouldn't want them to start blaming her for the disaster.

Not too long the tiger was standing beside the mountain cat. Xaio looked up at him. "Long trip?"

Rao chuckled. "You bet." He turned and gazed upon the distant horizon, watched as day turned into night. Silence fell upon them for a while. The last brown leaf had fallen; autumn had ended. Soon they will be welcoming the advent of a new season, much awaited no less.

"She's finally gone home?" Xiao asked rather sadly as he stared at the direction where Rao is.

Rao inhaled a great amount of air. It was a bit cold, nevertheless welcomed by his lungs. "Yes..." he answered very quietly.

"I'm really going to miss her."

"So will I, Xaio."

Silence once more. The wind passed by, brushing through their furs like soft hands, as if to give them comfort. Rao only sighed.

Xiao scoffed loudly. "I don't get you grown-ups. You're the ones who have been telling us kids to never lie...yet you were the one that encouraged doing just that!"

"You know I have a reason, Xiao."

"Hmph. It's not enough if you ask me!" the mountain cat remarked, crossing his arms over his chest. "If I had been in her situation, I would have blown a gasket."

"She wasn't ready," Rao explained. "And she was emotionally unstable. Had I told her, it would've made things a lot more difficult to deal with." He chuckled. "Besides, I don't know whether she would believe me if I told her who I am."

"I know it was just your way to protect her," Xiao said, "but I still think she had the right to know."

"When the right time comes, I will tell her. That is, if she doesn't find out first." The tiger laughed.

"Pfft." Xiao threw his paws over his head. "I'll never understand you fathers. You have really weird ways of showing your kids you care." As the white tiger laughed softly, the cub spun on his heels and made his way inside the house leaving the tiger all by himself.

Rao smiled, but half-heartedly. He can remember clearly, three weeks ago as he braved the lethal storm that night; the most important—and unexpected— event that ever came to his 51 years of existence. He had not expected to see her. He had his doubts, he wasn't all too sure of his suspicions. But when he saw those fierce amber eyes and that leaf-shaped stripped on her forehead, he knew that it was her. That little girl he once held in his arms before the tragic day happened. And as expected, she looked exactly like her mother.

He couldn't deny that it hurt a lot when he had forced to go back to Shifu, when he knew that she rightfully belonged with him. She was so eager to stay with him, so set on living a new life with him that he almost gave in the temptation of granting her wish. He almost gave in, but what life could he give to her? She would be much happier with people she always has known. He had to set his own happiness aside so she could achieve hers. He let her go...

"You better get going," Rao told Tigress, "I can sense a storm coming."

Tigress gazed into the sky. Massive grey clouds amassed the heavens, blotting out any light in the sky. She carefully lifted herself from her cross-legged position, stretched her limbs before walking to the mouth of the cave.

She paused. "Rao...?" she called very softly.

"Hmm?" Rao looked up in her direction. Before he could say more, Tigress had pounced at him and he suddenly found himself wrapped in her warm embrace.

He's emotions were overwhelming, that single affectionate act made his heart swell with indescribable joy. He felt the presence of the tears on his closed eyes, but he refused to release them, so he clamped his eyes shut.

"Thank you, Rao," Tigress whispered her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much for everything."

He couldn't hold it any longer. All the feelings inside him were much too over-bearing even someone as strong as he couldn't contain it. He hugged her back as tightly and tenderly as he dared. A single tears escaped, but he didn't bother wiping it away. He laughed silently. "It was nothing, Tigress."

At last she pulled away so she could see his face. Rao knew that her face was stained by her tears. "Come now, no more of that." He lifted his paw to brush away the streaks of water on her face. "Save those for when you see him."

Tigress knew who he was referring to and smiled. She got up again, walked towards the cave's opening. She stopped and cast a glance at Rao Shu over her shoulder. "I hope we meet again." With those last words, she left.

Yes, I do hope so. And next time for sure he will tell her his role in her life; who he really is.

Xiao suddenly poked his head out of the door. "And oh, by the way, General, you might want to drop the whole 'visually impaired' routine. No sense of keeping it up since she's already gone," he said before going back inside.

Rao laughed. That's right; he was so used to keeping his eyes closed that he hadn't noticed he was still doing. Of course it wasn't easy at first but through time he had developed stamina for the act. At long last for the past three weeks, Rao opened his eyes which were not damaged in the first place; revealing one eye with a stunning sapphire orb in front of an equally bluish coloring, the other with an amber color surrounded by a sea of golden yellow.

He had his reason for it also. And as soon as she acknowledged his true identity, he will also tell his reason for doing so along with other things that need explanation.

When he held out his paw, a single speck of snow landed unto his palm, eventually melting into water. Soon enough, thousands of pure white snowflakes descended from the sky, bringing forth dawning of a new season.

As Rao turned to enter the house, he could have sworn he saw a star appear despite the sky being blotted out, and the sound of a nightingale's voice carried by the breeze...

Bet you weren't expecting that, huh? ;D

See you guys in "Reign of Fire"

~Ni-qu