[A/N]
Oh yeah, it's time for another chapter of Bounty Hunter!
Thank you for the support as of late, I was never expecting to receive what is essentially an uproar asking for more as well as reviews. If you leave a review, I will most likely respond in PM's as I don't want to clog these chapters with reviews. (Aeugh, remember the older fanfictions? Sheesh, some of them would be half-filled with review responses)
Okay, that's enough fluff, lets get into the next chapter!
Chapter 3 – Meet Mr. Ping.
6 AM – Sleeping Quarters – The Jade Palace.
A soothing spring breeze invaded the room of the young Po Ping. It was his first time staying inside of the Jade Palace. It took him a surprising amount of time to slip into a slumber as the disturbing neatness of the room bothered him, almost as if the room was soulless. Fortunately for him, the room was filled with the snores and laboured breathing of the Furious Five, giving his designated sleeping quarters an eerie feel.
Po was beginning to feel a breeze across his face, realising he had opened the window the night prior for some fresh air, he grunted as he realised he would be tasked with shutting it. The young bounty hunting panda didn't wish to be a disturbance to the Furious Five, especially when Shifu already perceived him as a thorn in the side… not even a thorn. At this point, Shifu had made it clear that Po was a knife in his chest that would prove hard to pull out, especially in regards to his relations with the young Tigress.
A phenomenal beam of light brushed against the black and white fur of the relaxed panda, prompting him to open his eyes and gaze out into the landscape outside. He took in the slight yet beautiful chirps of the birds as well as the soothing yet erratic wing movements displayed by passing butterflies. Po truly felt as if he was at peace… that was until the ear-piercing gong began to ring with a ferocious roar.
"Good morning, Master Shifu!" Po heard everyone sincerely call as he swiftly slipped on his robe and retrieved his bow staff before sloppily opening his door.
"You're late," Shifu prodded the stomach of the young panda, his eyes gazing into the soul of the waking panda as he yawned. "You overslept too… of course."
"Aren't you being a little judgemental? Dude's only here to cook," Mantis prompted Master Shifu, he just received a disapproving glare before Shifu focused his attention on the red panda.
"I don't understand why Master Oogway wants you here… nor do I understand what his intentions are. However, I can promise you this…" Shifu trailed off, chuckling menacingly as he jabbed Po with his wind flute, almost breaking it in the process as he heard the wood of the fragile instrument creak in pain. "You will not survive here for very long…"
Po merely smiled before answering the comically short master standing before him.
"I don't need your approval for my style of kung-fu… I only need your approval as a cook. Judging by your facial expression last night, you clearly enjoyed my food; this is an odd way of saying thanks."
"Anyone who stays at the Jade Palace for a prolonged amount of time will be required to seek my approval as their employment risks their well being," Shifu lied in order to intimidate the panda.
"I don't see Zeng practising kung-fu… and he's your messenger!" Po helpfully pointed out, his snappy response caused Mantis to crack a small laugh.
"What's so funny, bug?" Shifu pointed his wind flute at the terrified insect as he crept closer.
"Nothing… but he has a point. Anyone who works here isn't required to practice kung-fu if they don't wish to," Mantis's response earned a unanimous nod from the rest of the Furious Five.
"Very well, you will get your way this time, panda… but don't expect me to be as easy on you from now on."
"I wouldn't expect anything else," Po responded coldly before he wandered off to the kitchen to begin cooking breakfast.
"The rest of you will perform your warm-ups and your stretches in your rooms before going to eat breakfast… try not to eat too much, you're on diets and this panda doesn't know how to live up to true kung-fu code," Shifu advised his students, who bowed in a mix of confusion as well as just not wishing to annoy the red panda further… but one warrior had something on her mind.
"Master?" Tigress asked, drawing the attention of her father.
"What is it, Tigress?"
"Why are you being so harsh on the panda? He's done nothing wrong-" Tigress was interrupted as Shifu hopped onto his wind flute and stood up to loom over her.
"I am harsh on that boy because it's very clear by the way he talks to people and how he acts that he is undisciplined… just look at his style of kung-fu!"
"I think it's impressive how a warrior can have such an open mind, soul and heart and still dish out such effective moves," Tigress commented, Shifu cringed in response.
"Are you second-guessing my teaching methods, Tigress?"
"Not at all… I just think you're being harsh, that's coming from me… someone who has dedicated their past 14ish years to kung-fu."
"Hopefully that dedication isn't in vain," Shifu mumbled, bringing painful memories to Master Tigress as she realised that Shifu had been adamant about her reaching the Dragon Warrior status at such a young age. Tigress blankly nodded as she retreated into her room to perform her exercises and to just think about what just happened.
'Why do I show so much sympathy for that panda… I understand that he's innocent but I'm one to keep my mouth shut, I out of all people shouldn't be defying my fath- master… calling him father hurts too much.' Tigress was beginning to lose herself within her thoughts and exercises. Meanwhile, Po was preparing food for the Furious Five when an old friend wandered into the room.
"Ah, if it isn't my old friend. How was your first night here, Master Panda?" Oogway warmly spoke, Po smiled back as he stirred his noodle pot.
"It felt a little strange being sat in such an empty room… I'm used to seeing all of the kung-fu memorabilia you see…" Po cracked an awkward laugh, which seemed to make Oogway's smile grow wider and prouder. "I got used to it in the end, although Master Shifu can be a little strict at times… he told me I was late because I opened my door 10 seconds after the Furious Five!" Oogway found Po's childish concerns to be heart-warming and he could sense that Po was pure of heart.
"You will burn through all discipline that confronts you if you remain in control of your pure heart, Po," Oogway reminded the panda, who was currently slicing up some Bok choy to place inside of his boiling pot.
"As I've read before, it requires the right amount of discipline and the right amount of self-control to forge a true warrior," Po proudly recited one of the kung-fu scrolls he had at home.
"Good, as long as both remain in balance, a warrior can truly function."
"Do you ever think Shifu will take that balance too far?" Oogway was momentarily startled by the young panda's question, but he chose to weigh in his thoughts.
"I have known Master Shifu for decades, young Po… I doubt his strict routine is conducted so he can gain satisfaction about watching the warriors struggle, instead, he gains satisfaction knowing that they're being trained appropriately. You cannot create noodles and broth without first pushing the temperature to the limits, the simmering process determines whether or not you found the correct balance or not."
"So you're essentially saying Master Shifu is pushing them to their limits… only to allow them the absolute minimum time for them to simmer or cool down? Why let him do such a thing?"
"Because I trust his methodology as a master and as a friend, as you would trust your father with your own broth."
"There is still concern buried away within you, Master Oogway. You wouldn't have requested my assistance for Master Tigress if it weren't for an underlying worry," Po's statement made Oogway's eyes light up as he realised he had made the correct choice.
"You have passed, you would be correct… I trust my student as much as my own family, but I fear he may be taking his lessons too far, the spirit of a warrior can only be pushed too far until it warps into one of a megalomaniac."
"You have passed?"
"You will understand soon enough. I expect you and the rest of the Furious Five to meet me once your shift is over. I have notified your father, I will be taking the Furious Five to your father's noodle shop to teach them a lesson about cooking and patience."
"Master Shifu will be irritated by this…" Po nervously shook his head.
"You are too concerned with what was and what will be, young panda. Our objective, yes, our objective, will be to sew the seeds for Master Shifu to allow his students to have their own say in life once again."
"And you can't just do this on a whim?"
"Of course not, everything requires patience or else change will become startling. I must make myself scarce, good luck, Po… I will meet you in the courtyard at sunset," Master Oogway graciously smiled before seemingly disappearing. Po gently poured and assembled his trademark soup within the bowls he designated for the Furious Five and Master Shifu before patiently sitting at the table.
After a few minutes of patiently fiddling with his food and blowing his noodles so they're cool enough to eat without burning his tongue, the Furious Five alongside a disgruntled Master Shifu walked in.
"We've just heard news from Master Oogway that we'll be training as usual and then visiting your father for some… cooking lessons-" Master Shifu's mouth was metaphorically snapped shut by the glee-ridden voice of the bounty hunter.
"I KNOW! ISN'T THAT… AWESOME?!" Po's enthusiastic attitude was like a plague for Master Shifu but for Tigress it was almost like sipping a cup of her trademark Jasmine tea… speaking of tea…
"Tigress! I made you some tea! I don't really know your taste so I just went with what I have, hope you like it!" Po was feeling much more energetic and outgoing that day, he almost forgot about his abilities and duties as a bounty hunter!
Tigress eyed up the panda before staring into her cup, noticing her reflection and how oddly 'beautiful' she looked to herself, a detail she had never noticed before. She calmly sat down and took a sip, her eyes grew wide when she recognised its familiar fragrance as well as taste.
"This is… this is Jasmine tea? You know how to brew this?" Tigress exclaimed in awe, taking another strained sip from out of the cup.
"Of course… brewing any tea is the same, I just had to mix the ingredients a little differently; something tells me you're a big fan of the flavour."
"I'm not just a big fan… this tea is AWESOME- I mean, my favourite… ahem," Tigress composed herself, although her fur wasn't enough to hide the invading blush that crept across her cheeks as realisation struck.
"Hey! You said awesome! That's my favourite word!" Po almost jumped out of his chair in excitement if it wasn't for the stern glare being shot at him from Master Shifu's direction.
"Oh really? The more you know…" Tigress attempted to cover up the awkwardness, but her facade soon fell when Viper spoke up.
"First, you don't speak at the table… at all, now this panda shows up and you're miss chatterbox. Second, I've never heard you use the word awesome in your life, in fact, I've heard you gag at the mention of the word 'slurp'… something's up… DO YOU LIKE THE PA-" Viper's mouth was clammed shut as Tigress pinched her jaw with her claws.
"SH! SHUT UP! NOW!" Tigress shouted at the terrified snake before Master Shifu slammed his flute/staff against the table.
"Ladies! This behaviour at the table is completely unacceptable! I demand you to remain seated and eat in silence… that applies to all of you!" Shifu gracefully donated an evil grin to the bounty hunter as he sighed and began chowing down on his noodle soup in silence.
5 oddly boring minutes of eating later…
Po was the first to leave the table. He went to the sink so he could wash up his own noodle bowl, he was met by Tigress who just looked at Shifu who wasn't paying attention and merely sighed whilst shaking her head in disapproval before exiting the room. Po nodded in a gesture of agreement as he silently understood the message Tigress was trying to convey. Soon after Tigress finished, Viper and Mantis came up to the laid back panda and handed over their noodle soup bowls. The last to come were Monkey, Crane and Master Shifu. Shifu of course handed in his bowl first, closely followed by Monkey and Crane before they wandered off to places unknown.
To Po, they had wandered off to train. Technically, he wouldn't be needed until lunchtime… so he naturally decided to take his bow staff and robe to the bathhouse to relax before practising some of his impromptu kung-fu moves… his small ears couldn't help but overhear some commotion from outside the gates of the Jade Palace though…
"Come on, Gary! We've made it this far… you're really going to second guess my strategy when we've already reached our destination?" Fung angrily bellowed, unbeknownst to him, the bounty hunter that had been whipping his tail back into the swamps lay in front of the building that he so desperately wished to rob.
"Fung… you're robbing the Jade Palace Hall of Heroes and your best way to get in is to launch only half of us into the premises? What are the half of us meant to do… sit around?" Gary retaliated, trying to correct his boss's error.
"GAAAAAAH!" Fung threw down his helmet in frustration. "You know what… why don't you tell us your genius plan if you have such a nimble and praiseworthy mind!" Fung's gestures perfectly replicated those of a drama queen before a slight tapping on the door alarmed him.
"Who's there?" He stared at the blank yet towering wooden doors before a collection of air and dust hit his backside as Po landed behind him, Bo staff and straw hat on his person.
"Surprise!" Po deadpanned as he went instantly to whipping the crocodile bandits into a tornado, incapacitating them in the process by turning them dizzy before finding some nearby rope and tying them up, his next objective was to locate the Furious Five.
After some intense searching and a distraction filled with bean paste, he managed to find the training hall. He kicked open the gates, revealing the Furious Five in sparring and a very angry Master Shifu.
"Panda! You are forbidden from stepping foot on these grounds, leave immediately!" Shifu commanded, but Po merely walked through him.
"Guys! I- HOO- uhm, hate to be a disturbance but some crocodile bandits would like a word with you…" Po joked, Tigress instantly recognised his tone of voice and nodded at Viper to cease their sparring and to greet the bounty hunter.
"LEAVE! NOW-" Master Shifu was quite literally picked up by Po in a display of power as he was hung on a nearby hat hanger in a display of shame.
"You can come down once I'm finished talking…" Po stared into the eyes of the humiliated master as he spoke. "Apologies for interrupting your training. I was on my way to the bathhouse to relax when I heard some commotion from outside. I decided to confront whoever was out there and well… some of you may have to take them to Chorh-Ghom prison," Po finished speaking, he could've sworn Tigress was daydreaming as a small chuff was heard from her throat. She quickly regained focus and nodded suggestively towards the panda.
"How did these guys get past security?" Mantis asked whilst looking down upon the dazed crocs.
"I don't know… but boy am I thankful for you!" Monkey loudly hollered as he patted Po on the back.
"Master Shifu's going to be mad once he realises you beat someone down on Jade Palace grounds… without a permit," Crane deadpanned, Po immediately realised his mistake with the master and instantly ran back to the training hall.
"Where's he going?" Viper sweetly asked.
"He left Shifu on the hat hanger…" Tigress answered, her lips forming a small smile.
"Are you smiling?"
"No… this is my… happy face."
"You can be funny sometimes, Tigress," Po emerged with Shifu still in his hands, startling the feline.
"Me? Funny? How?"
"Okay, that's enough questions. I'm going to let this one go and face my punishment so bid your farewell to your ears!" Po released Shifu as if he was an angry animatronic as he began shouting at the bounty hunter with an untamed rage.
15 minutes of shouting and rambling later…
"AND TO THINK YOU WOULD HANG ME UP ON A HAT RACK, IN FRONT OF MY STUDENTS… JUST TO GET YOUR OWN WAY? SHAME ON YOU!" Shifu poked his flute into the stomach of the panda. Po had to admit, Shifu was scary when he was angry, but his bushy tail and hilariously huge ears instantly killed any hope the red panda had at scaring Po.
"Greetings, students… what is all of that commotion about?" Master Oogway sweetly asked as he emerged from the Hall of Heroes. His agility still favoured him as by the time everyone had a chance to blink, he was already walking towards an extremely infuriated Master Shifu.
"HE… HE HUMILIATED ME, MASTER!" Master Shifu pointed towards the panda accusatively as if he was a young child on a playground playing tattle-tale on his friends.
"Master Shifu… it is only you who can humiliate yourself… tell me, what did he do?"
"He lifted me up and placed me on a hat rack… I can't even think of a punishment worthy enough!"
"Yet, you allowed him to do so. Inside still beats the heart of a father and a teacher, sometimes losing your honour is required for you to learn… there is always something to learn as a teacher."
"I didn't really have a choice, what was I supposed to do, discipline him? He's a chef, not a master!" Shifu began pacing around, irritated as the panda lazily sat down alongside Tigress, whispering to each other.
"I gotta admit, panda… that was a power move, my fath- I mean master really needs to accept that you're not going to follow his command as you have no real duty to do so…" Tigress quietly whispered, the voice from the angered red panda being enough to shield her thoughts and her words.
"I didn't want to do that but he was being an obstruction to justice… literally, I just hope we can get the crocs out of here before lunch," Po sweetly responded, pointing towards the crocs with his blunt panda claws.
"Of course, the first thing you think about after a battle is lunch… it's only natural for someone of your species and someone who cooks for a living too! - We only just started sparring, so I'd say a good half an hour passed since the last of us left the dining room."
"Well, the attempt of flattery is appreciated Master Tigress but you have a point. Us pandas are meant to eat a lot more than other species… although I've been able to train myself and restrict how much I eat so I can practice kung-fu unobstructed," Po's previous comment caused the tiger to flush before the redness emptied out of her face.
"I see… I think we should stand back up now, his rant is pretty much over," Tigress suggested, holding out her paw as she went to lift the panda up. When their paws touched for the lift, Tigress felt her heart flutter and her face heat up to 100 degrees celsius… this was no heat, she was feeling something else. She swiftly brushed aside her feelings and nodded at the panda as they went to stand in an 'at ease' stance.
"I have decided your punishment!" Shifu ominously pointed towards Po and Tigress. "You will be sparring with Master Tigress!" His comment caused everyone to audibly gasp. Everyone was doubting whether or not Po would match up to Tigress and vice-versa… after that encounter, and the summoning of the rhino guards to take away the crocs; everyone would find out for sure.
Po attempted to protest but judging by the warm eyes of Master Tigress, he decided to go alongside them to the training hall for him to receive his 'punishment'. Master Shifu forced the warriors of the Jade Palace to line up as he summoned Po and Tigress, forcing them to step forth.
"Master Tigress shall now face… this panda," Shifu emphasized his disgust for the mere word 'panda' – His blind rage being a contributing factor for his punishment. Master Oogway looked on in a mix of disgust and shame, not for the panda, but for Master Shifu.
"Shifu? Are you sure this is an acceptable punishment… from what I heard, Tigress is still injured," Master Oogway pointed at Tigress's bandages with his staff.
"I'll be fine, Master Oogway," Tigress flatly replied… deep down, she was filled with an unrivalled amount of excitement; she was actually going to face the panda in combat! Master Oogway nodded before ringing a bell, the sparring had commenced!
Po and Tigress began circling each other for weaknesses. Po was able to find a few hidden behind Tigress's thick armour but the feline was surprised when Po seemingly maintained a 'perfect' form.
'That's impossi-buh- bah! Forget it! There's no such thing as the impossible… maybe this panda knows more than he's letting on,' Tigress thought with her thoughts until she found a weakness… it would be a low blow but she would do anything to kick off the battle in her favour. She aimed for the panda's tenders but by the time she attempted to strike, the panda was no longer there.
"Naughty! We're meant to be fighting fair!" Po pouted as he appeared behind Tigress, pushing his bo staff aside as he prepared to enter combat without his weapon.
"Gosh, how did you disappear and reappear that fast?"
"Illusions, Tigress… illusions!" Po shouted as she disappeared in front of the eyes of the Furious Five, Master Shifu and Tigress. He then reappeared and poked Tigress in the shoulder before entering his defensive stance.
"This feels less like a punishment for you and more of a punishment for me… I haven't even laid hands on you yet!" Shifu interjected Tigress's thoughts.
"Consider it a punishment for both of you. Po will be punished for interrupting us and humiliating me… you will be punished for flirting with a.. panda, out of all things," Shifu's comment about the panda made both Tigress and Po swiftly scowl in his direction before they turned their focus to one another.
"Wanna just win and get this over with? I'm getting hungry…" Po suggested, to which Tigress smirked deviously.
"I'll only let you submit if I can horrify my father," Tigress winked suggestively.
"Ugh, very well, take your best shot," Po braced himself as Tigress went to pounce on him, slamming him against the floor spread-eagle style.
"Point 1 to Tigress- AH, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?" Shifu shouted in horror as Tigress ran a claw down the panda's arm, drawing blood in the process. "MARKING STUDENTS FOR MATING IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN-"
"Whoops, claws slipped, my apologies, Po," Tigress helped up the panda as he licked off his own blood, proving that he and Tigress could work together as a powerful and deceptive force. Po warmly nodded as both momentarily allowed themselves to venture through one another's eyes. Unfortunately, their escapade was ruined by Shifu who rung his bell.
"ROUND 2, I WANT TO SEE WHAT THIS PANDA CAN DO!" Shifu's raised voice quite honestly horrified the panda as much as the feline as they both prepared for combat.
"I want you to give it your all this time," Po's warm smile was almost distracting for Tigress, she was battling with her own feminine feelings more than she was with the panda.
"I've got to put in all of that effort to lose? I'm not going to make it that easy for you…" Tigress's face warped into one of intensity as she regained her focus, that goofy panda was now her prey.
"Now we're talking!" Po cheered as Tigress threw a paw at him, which he blocked with ease. Tigress continued throwing a volley of strikes at him, Po responded by blocking them with his hands and feet. Tigress moved onto more powerful kick-boxing based strikes but it seemed like the panda had mastered that side of kung-fu too. Tigress stared at Po in a mix of lust and disbelief as she realised he was basically holding her back with minimal effort.
Meanwhile, Master Oogway was greatly impressed by the experience and patience of the young panda, allowing his opponent to wear themselves out as his stamina was clearly inferior to Tigress's was a smart strategy.
"I think we're looking at warrior material, wouldn't you agree, old friend?" Master Oogway whispered to Master Shifu, who just dropped his flute and stared at the wise tortoise in disbelief.
"Warrior material? All he knows is tomfoolery and arrogance, it won't be long until Tigress wins this battle- nevermind," Shifu's face fell flat as Tigress had exhausted herself, Po merely prodded her with a kick which sent her onto the floor… being too exhausted to get up automatically gave Po a knock out victory.
"How- how did you wear me out so fast?" Tigress snapped, lashing her tail against the floor in rage.
"You let your anger control you, a force that shouldn't guide you when fighting an opponent," Po offered his wisdom, his words somewhat calmed the young tiger. "Patience… patience is something you learned about many years ago, yet you cannot allow yourself to forget about those lessons. Here, get up," Po held out his paw for Tigress, who begrudgingly accepted before essentially collapsing into the panda's arms in a mix of sadness and anger.
"BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND! ALL THE THINGS I THREW AT YOU AND YOU STILL BLOCKED… I'M NO WARRIOR! - I'M A FAILURE!" Tigress ranted as she dug herself into Po's chest, unleashing as many tears as she could fathom. Master Oogway ordered the Furious Five to clear out of the room and that they would be visiting Mr. Pings shortly.
"We're allowed to have flaws, Tigress… even I have flaws!" Po attempted to lighten the mood, but seeing Master Tigress; one of his idols, cry in his arms was just heart-melting as he too began to tear up.
"And what would those flaws be?" Tigress's ears perked up, her teary-eyed self gazed into the jade orbs of the bounty hunter as he gave her a half-hearted smirk.
"What? Do you think I'm really going to reveal my secrets… what if there are prying eyes watching or unwanted ears listening?"
"Please..? It'll make me feel better!" Tigress smirked mischievously as her tears began to clear from her eyes.
"Okay… come in…" Po brought his mouth closer to Tigress's ears, which felt oddly soothing to her. "My secret is… I can't guard my armpits!" Tigress instantly broke out of the hug and attempted to tickle Po, which caused him to fall backwards and laugh like a psychopath.
"Oh really now? Hmm, I couldn't have guessed!" Tigress taunted the panda as he continued to wrestle with the feline and wriggle on the floor.
"STOP! AHAHA- I'M GONNA PEE!" Po exaggerated as Tigress continued to tickle him without mercy.
"Okay, you two, get up," Master Shifu ordered, Tigress groaned as she released the panda, who breathed a tremendous sigh of relief before reaching for his bo staff to lean on.
"It appears you really do know how to fight… but being ticklish is a weakness that could end your life," Shifu darkly warned, his disgust further grew for the creature that stood in front of him. "And you… Tigress, leaving yourself exposed to blows like that..? I thought I taught you better."
"Hey! Shaming her isn't going to make her into a better warrior. Everyone has weaknesses, you've yet to accept that!" Po raised his voice, the comments made by Shifu struck a nerve for him.
"What are you going to do about it, panda? Protest against how I teach? I assure you, if you were to even attempt such a move, you would-"
"You would what?" Master Oogway stared at Master Shifu, his warm smile warped into a vicious frown. "You're threatening a member of an endangered species. I thought I taught you better," Oogway essentially spat on Shifu with his words.
"Master- that is not what I meant, I am so sor-"
"Don't apologise to me… apologise to him!" Master Oogway began to wear his trademark warm smile as he pointed his sacred staff at the bounty hunter.
"I- I apologise… for being harsh on you- as someone who is a master of the Jade Palace… I have brought great shame by attempting to shun someone who isn't even a resident of this temple," Shifu's ears fell low as Po crept in close to his face.
"I forgive you… her on the other hand- man, you have some work to do," Po subtly whispered, thankfully Tigress was too lost in thought to even think about listening in to the panda. "Where were we?" Po lifted his head up, asking the two wise masters that stood before him.
"I have decided to take you to meet your father early, do not worry, you are not taking this journey by yourself. The Furious Five alongside Master Shifu and I will be heading to your father's noodle shop for an early dinner," Master Oogway announced, receiving an excited nod from Tigress and Po.
"Wow! I'm meeting your father… is he a panda like you?" Tigress asked, Po just optimistically nodded.
"You'll find out once we get there!" Po took off towards the courtyard with Tigress in tow, the masters of the Jade Palace soon followed after they exchanged nods.
4 PM – Jade Palace Courtyard – Valley of Peace.
"I still can't believe we have to opt for this instead of training the five…" Shifu mumbled to his master, disgruntled by the fact he was going out somewhere in public for the first time in an age.
"You cannot just ignore the outside world, it will always find a way to catch up to you… today is that day, my friend," Oogway warmly spoke before slowly turning around and addressing the Furious Five alongside Po.
"We will all visit the young panda's father, for a surprise awaits in which you would be foolish to miss, follow me," Master Oogway opened with one of his riddles before the gates to the Jade Palace courtyard crept open, revealing the thousand steps. "My age isn't very favourable but I've already trekked these stairs once in the past 24 hours," Oogway encouraged his students before following them alongside Master Shifu.
"Are you sure this is a good idea.. what if it all goes wrong?" Shifu voiced his concerns, which were merely shrugged off by the ageing tortoise.
"Your mind is concerned with negativity before it is positivity. Upon meeting the boy's father, you'll realise why I chose him to be our cook. Perhaps in the future, he will become a decorated master!" Oogway quipped in response, Shifu just decided to keep his mouth shut and sigh heavily as they continued walking, the conversation in front of them faded into mumbles as they focused on the destination ahead.
"Oh really..? The mighty Thundering Rhino couldn't step up to you? - That's a fib, not a fact!" Mantis doubted the panda's claim to battling Master Thundering Rhino and winning.
"I think Mantis is incorrect… I'm going to say fact! What is it panda, fib or fact?" Tigress chimed in, smirking at the panda. Admittedly, the Furious Five were beginning to cosy up to this form of Tigress. Instead of being closed off and narrow-minded, they were beginning to see that she was more than a warrior… she was someone with emotions and somehow that panda was the key that unlocked them.
"Fact! Tigress wins a point!" Po's confirmation of the fact made everyone gasp and scoff.
"No way! I would bet 40 almond cookies that he's still lying!" Monkey threw his wager onto the metaphorical table, Crane smirked as he listed his own bet.
"40 almond cookies say that he's telling the truth… hmm?"
"50 almond cookies tell me that you've heard of this story in the news before and you've forgotten about it!" Viper cooed, confident that she would win the bet.
"You'd be right, Viper!" Po enthusiastically cheered. "I still have the scroll from the Gongmen Press detailing it. I can show you it if you don't believe me. Looks like you two own 50 almond cookies each to Viper!"
"Aw, c'mon! You tricked me!" Mantis said whilst pointing out his claw-thingies.
"You fell for the bait, now you better not pull the cowards' card and pay up once you guys reach the Jade Palace!" Po smirked as they descended down the final step, completely unaware that they had already finished the difficult part of their journey.
"Alright, Po, so where's your father's noodle shop?" Tigress kindly asked.
"Take roughly… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, steps- TURN LEFT! And here you are!" Po guided Tigress, when she raised her head, the sight of chuckling customers and a cheery grey goose handing people their food was certainly something that caught her off guard. Whether it be her social anxiety that prompted her to hide behind Po or just because she felt as if she needed some safety, Po found it extremely cute that Tigress would retreat from a horde of people and gave her a warm smile before side-stepping out of the way.
"SON!" Mr. Ping yelled as he hopped onto Po's belly, causing it to vibrate slightly as the shifty goose tied an apron behind his back before allowing his wings to rest around his son.
"Did you miss me?" Po smiled as Mr. Ping jumped off his belly.
"Of course I did! My regulars have been wondering where you've been. Naturally, I adhered to swearing secrecy about the message sent by Master Oogway, glad to have you back!" Mr. Ping noted the confusion spreading across the faces of all of the Jade Palace masters, excluding Master Oogway and Master Tigress, of course.
"This goose… is your father?" Shifu sputtered in confusion. "I thought you just worked for him, are you fibbing, where are your parents?" Master Shifu's mouth was clammed shut by Master Oogway.
"There's no need for prejudice, old friend. The goose is the panda's father, just like you are the father of Tigress," Oogway's reminder sent shivers down the spine of the red panda as well as the feline standing beside Po.
"Alright. I think you've had enough of standing around in the streets, come on in! I had a feeling you may have brought friends so I reserved two tables for you all!" Mr. Ping chirped whilst pointing a wing at the panda. "Po! I'm going to need you in the kitchen for this one, this old man simply can't handle this many orders by himself… which reminds me, what would you like?" Mr. Ping internally chuckled as he noted the Furious Five raising their hands as if they were children.
"I think we can all agree that we need some of that Secret Ingredient Soup that Po keeps blabbering about," Mantis suggested, each member of the Furious Five nodded in agreement.
"Anything else?"
"I'll have some Jasmine tea… It's safe to say that Po brewed me some whilst I was at the Jade Palace and I fell in love with the taste," Tigress requested, Mr. Ping slyly smirked as a joke formed in his head.
"Are you sure that's love for the tea and not love for the person who brewed it?" Mr. Ping got a swift kick of laughter thanks to the flustered feline but he quickly composed himself. "I'm only joking! I'm not some freak that puts unnecessary pressure on my son!" Mr. Ping quipped before he went to take the orders of the masters.
"I'll have some beetroot soup with a side of salad," Master Oogway requested.
"I'll have tofu," Master Shifu coldly spat, he was growing more nervous by the second as people had shifted their focus away from their food and towards him after he had uttered those infamous words. Mr. Ping just shot him an optimistic smile that begged him to say he wanted more than just that. "Fine, I'll have some spicy noodle soup," Shifu's request received a gasp from the Furious Five and even a look of bewilderment from Po as he went to prepare the orders in the kitchen.
"Who knew Shifu was into spicy food?" Po openly bellowed in the kitchen as the customers at Mr. Ping's noodle shop went along with their evenings undeterred by the appearance of the Furious Five.
"I'm not surprised by it… he probably needs something to tame that temper of his!" Mr. Ping whispered, receiving a small chuckle from Po before he began focusing on his cooking.
After 10 minutes of some kung-fu inspired noodle-cooking...
"I think I'm done here, are you done with the tofu, beetroot soup and salad?" Po asked his father, who nodded as he added the final beets into the modest bowl he would be serving the Grandmaster of kung-fu.
"I still can't believe it, Master Oogway, Master Shifu and the Furious Five are currently eating at my restaurant… do you know what this means?" Mr. Ping was beginning to get ahead of himself.
"Yes. Big business, I may have to consider leaving the Jade Palace if business really booms!" Po light-heartedly responded.
"Oh, I would never want to pull you from there. You've worked in my restaurant your whole life, it's about time you receive a salary from someone else, especially as prestigious as the masters of the Jade Palace!"
"Daaaad! I haven't even received my first paycheck yet, we'll see by the end of this month, okay?" Po reminded his father before he was reminded of something himself. "Is it okay if I quickly sneak upstairs, I need to grab something!" Po hastily said as he handed his father the bowls he had stacked up and shot upstairs, completely unaware of Tigress's presence behind him. Tigress held up her paw in a 'be quiet!' gesture as Mr. Ping hauled over the bowls and served them to each member of the Furious Five before graciously handing them to the masters.
"Where is it, where is it!" Po fumbled with his drawers as he searched for the Gongmen Press scroll to show to his friends as his own personal 'war spoils' – Po was startled once Tigress coughed to announce her presence and he almost fell backwards in fear.
"AH- UH- Hello! Master Tigress! Surprise to see you up here… please don't look behind me?" Po tried his best to cover what was behind him but it practically surrounded him, posters and action figurines of the Furious Five as well as Master Tigress… his bed had a poster of Tigress looming over it for crying out loud!
"Wow, you weren't kidding about the bedroom!" Master Tigress exclaimed, her reaction completely shocked the panda.
"You're saying you… don't think this is creepy or you don't hate it like… at all?" Tigress merely nodded as she took in her surroundings.
"Seems like you lived a pretty good childhood… and never grew out of it," Tigress rolled her eyes as she caught sight of the half-completed action figurine carved of her, there had to be at least 10 in that room. "I wonder why you need so many…"
"Strength in numbers?" Po anxiously replied, Tigress just chuckled as she began fiddling with one of many action figures. "What brings you up here anyway?"
"Just wanted to learn more about the fabled bounty hunter. I see your planning wall is quite literally your closet," Tigress's eyes rolled into the back of her skull as she noticed a badly drawn sketch of the Lin Kuei leader listed as his next target. "I understand why the authorities haven't prosecuted you yet."
"Is it because I'm too devious? Too elusive?" Po boasted.
"No, it's because they probably think the bounty hunter is an 8-year-old that lacks an ability to draw… some would call that dumb, I would call that maintaining control of your assets," Tigress complimented the panda as she sat down on his bed, noting how loose the wooden frame was.
"I doubt they can lie eyes on what they can't see… which is why I've been able to essentially build a place of worship for the Jade Palace- you don't think this is creepy? I've always thought I took it too far."
"It's a work of art, Po. There's no need to be ashamed or frightened about other people's reactions." Tigress returned Po's infamous gesture by placing her paw around his shoulder. "Now come with me, the rest of the Furious Five await your return," Tigress began guiding Po down his own stairs, but even he was unsure of what was to come.
"Tigress, are you sure? You guys are decorated kung-fu masters… I'm just some fat amateur."
"If by some miracle you make it into the Jade Palace, the first thing you'll realise how truly wrong you are… besides, you fight better than most masters and yet you're still a humble amateur," Tigress's compliment made the panda blush as they reached the tables in which Master Oogway, Shifu and the Furious Five were seated at. Shifu scowled at the somewhat 'intimate' gesture Tigress was displaying for the panda whilst Oogway smiled, the Furious Five merely teased them.
"Tigress and Po, sitting in a tree… K.I.S.S.I- OW!" Monkey's teasing came to a screeching halt when Tigress gave him a soft punch on his overinflated stomach. "Seems like you guys ate a lot whilst I was gone," Tigress stated the obvious.
"Ladies first!" Po held out the chair for Tigress as she went to sit. The feline was extremely honoured by Po's respectful act and she sat down to greet her noodle soup.
"Po… where's your food?"
"Right here!" Po nodded as he seemingly fabricated a bowl of noodle soup from thin air, that trick caught the attention of the customers before Mr. Ping left his seating with Oogway, Shifu and Mantis to calm the customers.
"Don't be fooled, people! He cannot fabricate noodle soup, it's just an illusion… see?" Mr. Ping reminded the customers before 'fabricating' a set of coupons and tossing them into the air. He flapped his wings and then returned to talk with the masters of the Jade Palace.
"Mr. Ping, you have done a wonderful job with raising this establishment as well as Po," Oogway commented, Mr. Ping held out a wing as he attempted to maintain his humble nature.
"The praise is eternally appreciated, Master Oogway… just know that every parent will teach their sons and daughters the required lessons of life!"
"Or some will allow their children to become bounty hunters and place parts of the valley under threat!" Master Shifu snapped, he couldn't bear the amount of praise Mr. Ping was receiving just because he was able to raise a panda that cooked whilst cleaning the streets of any crime.
"You are the father of Master Tigress, yet she only sees you as a master. I've already seen how shifty you've been acting ever since Po and Tigress came into contact… now isn't the time to act like an overprotective father, especially when she has only seen you as a teacher for the majority of her lifetime," Mr Ping advised the red panda in the hopes of calming him down, but his rage only intensified as this goose had plucked a heartstring.
"Listen here, Mr. Ping… the concerns of the Jade Palace and the parental situation of Master Tigress is none of your business. Demanding me to do something as a parent, a father, is out of your domain!" Shifu snapped, raising his chopsticks and slamming them onto the table.
"Naming yourself Tigress's father is out of your domain," Mr. Ping smugly replied before waddling off into the kitchen, leaving Master Shifu absolutely gobsmacked. "That little-"
"Shifu…"
"Very well, Master Oogway. I shall let him go,"
"You should also consider listening to his words."
"Why would I listen to some random noodle chef?"
"You've already allowed yourself to listen to the panda, even learning from him the process."
"What on earth did I learn from him?"
"Humility," Master Oogway's words caused Shifu to fall silent as the Furious Five turned their attention away from the commotion and back to their own conversation.
"HOLY CRAP IT'S REAL!" Monkey cried in disbelief as he waved around the scroll erratically, he couldn't believe that Po had squared up with Master Thundering Rhino.
"You didn't read the statement, did you?" Viper hissed as she grabbed the scroll from out of his hands and laid it onto the table.
"I consider him a warrior of black and white. I have no clue who he is or what his motives are… but we will remain on the lookout for any potential threat. Even if he assisted us on this day, this kung-fu prodigy lacks a license, a flaw that may end up with his abilities withering away for dark ambitions."
"That… was the statement made by Thundering Rhino… the day is coming back to me now!" Crane reminisced as he recalled hearing about this warrior in the news almost 2 years before their encounter today.
"I always knew," Tigress responded bluntly, each warrior and their heads turned to face the feline. "I just didn't want to tell you about what he did until you met him,"
"Damn, it's almost like you've got a stalker, Po!" Mantis chimed in from behind as he hopped to his table, carrying his bowl alongside him.
"What? Me? Stalking? Noooo~" Tigress attempted to defend herself, but it only seemed like Po's eyebrows raised higher and his smirk became more devious as she sputtered.
"That letter you saw from her was her fifth draft," Mantis deadpanned, Tigress immediately became consumed by warmth from her cheeks and her face turned a deep red.
"Well, at least I have an idea of how passionate you are!" Po encouraged Tigress before he realised he made her more uneasy. "Not like that… I apologise-" Po was caught off guard when Tigress leapt out of her chair and hugged him.
"At least you understand…" She whispered, thankfully out of earshot of everyone else as they were too busy allowing their jaws to lay agape. The last ray of sunshine flickered over them as the moon began its ascent into the sky, indicating how late it had truly become.
"We best be leaving, it has been a wonderful experience dining alongside our citizens and we look forward to coming back again. We appreciate your… hospitality, Mr. Ping," Master Shifu announced, attempting to remain as respectful as possible to the grey goose that had previously given him attitude.
"I am thankful for your attendance. I apologise for our… skirmish, sometimes personal interests are an obstruction to our lives," Mr. Ping softly replied.
"I understand and accept your apology. Warriors of the Jade Palace, we must return home before we lose rest!"
Po and Tigress eventually separated from their hug and Tigress softly waved goodbye to Po before he returned the favour.
"Goodbye, Master Tigress! See you in the morning!" Po shouted from the doorway of the noodle shop.
"Goodbye, Po… I'm looking forward to it," Tigress's words kissed the panda's ears like a sweet lullaby as he headed to his room to rest and graciously welcome the morning ahead.
To be continued...
[A/N]
We have reached the end of chapter 3. Wow, time really flies when writing these things!
As the angst grows between Po and Tigress and the two fathers of the unlikely pairing meet, obvious sparks fly throughout the air. Some thanks to the intense nature of Master Shifu and an innocent Mr. Ping… others due to the feelings shared between the panda and the feline.
As usual, ratings and reviews are appreciated and not mandatory. I look forward to bringing the next chapter once it's done and I wish you all a very happy day! - Seeya soon!