CHAPTER 27: Campfire Revelations

After a fun day training with Shifu, we were sitting at our little campfire talking whilst finishing off dinner. I had just told him the little skit I told the Five the night we got the news Tai Lung escaped prison. During the whole bit, he would chuckle and even let out an occasional belly laugh.

"And that's when you came in to give us the news about Tai Lung." I said.

"I must say, I did miss having a good laugh. Thank you Captain. Monkey keeps trying and always fails to make me do so" He said, taking a sip of tea.

"His jokes are that bad?"

"For the most part, yes."

He then put the cup down.

"Today was a good day. You did very well Captain."

"Thanks Master. Hope to do it again someday."

"Would be my pleasure. Now, I know I told you this earlier today, but I feel like I didn't properly say it.

My expectations when you first got picked were, well no offence but pretty low. Apart from Viper, none of us saw what your skills in Kung Fu were. However, with it now being around a week since you got picked, I can honestly say that not only you more than exceeded those expectations, but you destroyed them John."

Hearing him say my name and not my rank made me look at him with genuine happiness, because it was the first time he said it since I showed up. That and the fact I was able to make him admit I proved him wrong.

"Wow, I don't know what to say Shifu. Thank you for the words of encouragement." I said.

"You don't need to thank me John. I'm only telling the truth."

A moment of silence passed by before he asked me a pretty deep question.

"John, if you don't mind me asking. Do you have any regrets in life?"

I had to really think for a moment because of how much his question caught me off guard.

"If I'm being honest with you, no I don't. And you would think after what I went through six years ago I would've said yes.

But even with that, I still have to say I don't because if that never happened, you and me wouldn't have this conversation right now at this exact moment.

Why, do you have any?"

He gave me a look of sadness.

"One."

"What would that be?" I asked.

He sighed as I took a sip of water.

"Not being the father I should have been to Tigress."

"Pfft!" I spat.

"Wait a minute, Tigress is your daughter?!" I then asked.

"I adopted her a couple weeks before Tai Lung was sent to prison."

After the shock went away, I then began realizing why Tigress wanted to face Tai Lung on her own.

"That's what she meant by you and her not having a proper relationship."

"When did she say this?" He asked.

"Early this morning, right before they all left. She blames Tai Lung for it."

"Well, she's not wrong to some extent."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"When I adopted Tai Lung, I raised him as my son. However, when he tried to take the scroll, I wasn't able to muster up the courage to stop him because I had gotten so attached to him.

After that whole ordeal, I decided to raise Tigress not as a daughter like I should have. But instead I raised her as a student out of fear that in case this would happen to her, I could stop her without any issues." He began to feel emotional, his voice began to shake and I even saw a couple tears falling down his cheek.

Seeing this, I went over and sat next to him and patted him on the back. He then continued.

"We never had any problems with that at first, until after one day of training when she was 13. That day, she had become both physically and emotionally drained and began sobbing after her training was over.

Instead of doing what a father should do and comfort her. I went over and told her to control her emotions because in a battle, the enemy will see that as weakness and they will use that to beat you.

I believe that was the starting point of her becoming the hardcore warrior she is now, as percieved by the villlagers. And I'm the one to blame for that." Shifu then wiped his tears.

"I hope you don't mind me asking this, but when was this?" I asked.

"15 years ago."

My eyes widened.

"15?!"

He nodded.

"Ok...how the fuck has she not gone insane?" I asked

"I have no idea."

"Have you ever spoken to her about this, or even about her blocking out her emotions?"

"No. As a matter of fact, that thought never popped into my mind. That was until I saw you with your family.

Seeing you and your father being together really made me realise I was never like that to Tigress. Yet I was with Tai Lung. The same goes for her emotional blockage. All these years I thought it was her growing up and maturing. Now that I think about it, I too am rather surprised she didn't go insane."

"Well if I was you, I would talk to her. With what you told me, you really want to make it up to her. So, when she along with the others get back, talk to her. Have a one on one conversation with her and if possible, let her know how much you are proud of her for being in your life as your daughter. Let her know you want to make it up to her and have some proper father/daughter time. That way, she will see just how much you care for her and that she will finally have that someone she calls a father be with her as her father and not just her master.

When talking with her, if she does get emotional and tries to block it. Tell her to simply let it out and give her a much needed hug. Trust me, she will feel so much better after she lets those negative emotions out and she can finally be happy instead of just being satisfied." I said.

With me saying that to him, he smiled and looked at me.

"I will do so. Thank you John, for...for everything. Not just for now, but for giving the palace and us, the Five and I, a new way of living our lives." Shifu said.

He then gave me a hug. I smiled and hugged him back.

"No need to thank me Shifu."

After a couple seconds, we broke the hug. I then went over to my sleeping bag and lied in it whilst looking at the fire. Shifu too went into his sleeping bag. He must have felt pretty drained too because he fell asleep within a minute.

'I'm glad I could help Shifu. I know Tigress will give you that chance.' I thought as I then looked at the stars

After a few more minutes, my eyes were getting heavy. So I put the fire out and went to sleep.