My update time from the last chapter was later than expected. So, you guys get another one as a slight compensation!

How's that?!

...AH, whatever whatev's. Let's see what's going on.

(Meanwhile...)

Shifu has had plenty of headaches over his surprisingly long life. But this one was proving to be one of the most irritable. He kept a rather sound mindset during the intros, but the deepest part of his mind was filled with nothing but distress. He honestly cannot figure out how Po and Fenghuang still can be incredibly laid-back about this whole thing. Even being incredibly crazy or incredibly stupid cannot possibly count as excuses anymore. He wished he could relax like them. Or like Master Yao. Master Yao is probably one of the most relaxed Kung Fu Masters of all time.

Though that's due to him having been detached from reality for most of his life. He seems pretty chill about it, though. Shifu wished he could think like him, but he honestly couldn't. And it isn't by lack of trying.

He pretty much lost it on the inside when it became quite apparent that Po was happily working alongside Su Wu in order to protect Oogway's precious treasures. It's official. The world's gone mad, and he's been traveling with the causes. No, scratch that, because he's one of those causes! These thoughts run through his head as he makes his way to his inn room.

I know the path I've chosen. I'm not intending on abandoning it. But still, I didn't think that things would get so out of control so quickly! I really don't want to jinx it...but can things get any more unexpected...?

He slowly opens his inn room door.

Mei Ling the Fox was laying on his futon, with two bowls of dumplings on her left, and two cups of green tea on her right. She gently pats the spot in front of her with a suggestive smile, which matched her just as suggestive tail swishing. Shifu pondered the pros and cons of this, before shaking his head and deciding to just roll with it at this point. He sits in front of her, crossing his legs and picking up one of the cups of green tea.

"I still remember that green tea is your favorite." Mei Ling said with a soft smile.

"You knew that I needed it, didn't you?"

"I know how it calms you."

Shifu sighed, not disagreeing as he takes a small sip of the green tea in his paws, before setting it back down. "Things have been rather difficult, Mei Ling. I know the path I walk now is of my own choice. I don't plan on backing down in the slightest. But still...I'm not sure how I can keep up with everyone else. Fenghuang and Po are so sure of what they're doing, even though half the time the latter doesn't even know how what he's doing is going to turn out!"

Mei Ling takes her pair of chopstick and casually eats a few dumplings. Shifu was baffled by how she can make something as simple as eating a few dumplings look almost graceful. "Fenghuang and Po don't think like you do, Fufie. You heard them, and seen them in action. They're people of action first and thinking later. It's just that Po thinks less than Fenghuang, and it takes a load of luck for those actions to work out for him."

"How does these kinds of things spur Po on?"

"Anyone who's willing to continue adventuring after losing their arm has to have some pure resolve on them. Po is one of those people." Mei Ling stated after eating half of her dumplings and setting her chopsticks down. "And Fenghuang is a pretty determined person herself. She's just much smarter about her actions than he is. Either that or she doesn't really care much for it. Though that's a sound reason why they're Master and Student. He's still learning...as are you."

Shifu blinked as he finishes his tea, setting it down next to him. "I am?!

"It's understandable that you're still adjusting to this new way of life, because you've spend a majority of your life doing almost the opposite. The honor that you've been following most of your life has isolated you from your loved ones. Eventually you decided that type of sacrifice wasn't worth it. It may have caused you a lot more trouble, but your heart seems to be a lot more balanced than it used to be." She says while drawing a circle in the floor with her claw. "You're slowly building your connections, and you have a new kind of honor now. One that will leave you much happier. And I'm sure that Oogway would want you to be happy as well."

Shifu nodded. "Indeed...I suppose that he would want that." He says as he takes his chopsticks and begins eating dumplings. In a couple of seconds, all of the dumplings in his bowl have vanished. Mei Ling giggled as she saw how silly he looked with his swelled cheeks before chewing swiftly and swallowing. He seemed a bit happy at her giggling, and laughed a bit himself.

"Hmhm! Your stomach always proved to be bigger than your actual size. All at once, huh?"

"I don't take too much pride in it...after all, I think Po's eating habits have been rubbing off on my daughter. She's been eating much more ever since she met Po."

"And she still manages to keep her amazingly fit figure. One she's very intent on hiding. She's so adorably shy..." Mei Ling slowly shifted her eyes towards Shifu with a sly smile. "Just like her Daddy~"

Shifu folded his arms, almost offended. "You can't be serious. Why in the world would I be shy?" Mei Ling decided a demonstration better suited this situation than simply explaining it to him. Both an explanation...combined with a demonstration. She slowly stood up on her own two feet. Shifu sensed danger ,and he slowly stood up with her. "...Mei Ling...? What are you doing...?" Mei Ling slowly walked up towards him, gently swaying her hips, which matching the swaying of her tail. He blushed as she was getting a bit too close for comfort. "M-Mei Ling...?"

"You see, Fufie...Fenghuang and Po have been a rather effective influence on me...they take action. They know what they want So I've been...inspired, by them. And I'm quite done waiting on you." Mei Ling said seriously with halfway closed eyes. "I don't know why I haven't just done what I've always done."

"A-And w-what...would that b-be...?" Shifu stuttered, blushing slightly as she soon upon him. He tended to forget that she was taller than him, just by a tiny bit.

"You see, Shifu...it's one of those times I see a very alluring treasure. I see it...and I want it...so I take it. Simple as that." Mei Ling shook her head and lowered it, as she slowly placed her paw on Shifu's chest, right above his heart. "And this...this Fufie...is one of the greatest treasures I've ever had the privilege to experience. No other treasure I've seen, even the brightest and most valuable, even comes close. I've always wanted it, and I still do want it." She continued as she raised her head to meet his blue eyes. "Now I won't say that I didn't try. I tried to do things nicely. I tried to be a 'good girl' and hope that would get your attention. But nope! Something else snatches it away from me before it fully sinks in! So now...I'm going to have to take action and shift back to bad girl for a little bit. I wanted your attention, so I took it. I want your some private time between us, so I arranged it. And most importantly, I want your heart...but it got away from me once. So if you don't mind...I'll be stealing it back."

Shifu tried backing up more, but there was nowhere else for him to go except against the wall. No one to distract him from this,no one to bail him out. Shifu blushed fiercely as he tried to see a way out of this. Anything at all. "W-Wait, Mei Ling! Can we not discuss this further first?! You're being rather forw-" Mei Ling gently placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.

"That there is one of your biggest flaws, Fufie. It's something that always held you back, but I could still understand and grow to accept as a part of you. You think FAR too much."

With this, she removed her finger and fully took his lips into a kiss. Shifu's eyes widened significantly. Her presence was strong and imposing. And even if he did want to resist, he also did not want to hurt her. This was proven strongly back with Master DIng. Even when brainwashed, he still couldn't bring himself to hurt her. Thinking about this, and thinking about how they were traveling together for so long and feelings have begun to resurface. Though every time, he tried to run away from it because he has no idea how to proceed, and had no idea what to do. His hesitation always got in the way. However, this time she was giving him no time to think, she was simply acting upon her heart's desire...something Fenghuang and Po have always done.

At this point, Shifu eventually surrenders to the emotions.

Mei Ling is pleased with Shifu's response as he embraces her and returns her kiss. She eases her grip on him and simply lays her paws on his chest. The emotions within their hearts were shared through each other in this moment. And Mei Ling was right after all. After all this time, he missed her as much as she missed him. The years apart has taken their toll on the both of them. And Mei Ling still wished that it wouldn't have taken Shifu losing nearly everything in order for a chance like this to present itself. Shifu deserved better treatment than that. She'll be sure to make certain that she was worth it, at least a little bit.

Mei Ling slowly pulls away from him, taking more satisfaction at the dreamy look on his face. She snickered as he swiftly snaps himself out of it, coughing into his fist and shown to grow yet another faint blush on his cheeks. "Well...um...that was certainly...something."

"Something, hm?~" She rolled her eyes at this.

"Yes...something amazing."

"That's better." With this, they pulled each other into a hug, nuzzling each others cheeks. "I missed you so much..I missed us, like this, so much. I just wish it didn't take the heartbreak and hardship you wet through to bring it back..."

"I missed you too, Mei Ling. And I missed us." Shifu replied with a soft nod. They soon relaxed with one another, petting each other's ears while looking directly into each other's eyes. "Are you sure this is what you really want..?"

"I never wanted anything more than this, ever since we broke up."

"We're not as young as we used to be..."

"That youth still lies within our hearts. It just needs a rousing, that's all."

"How are we ever going to explain this to the others...?"

"They'll take it however they take it. It won't change the fact that it's true."

"Well, that's a fair point. But..."

"Shhh..." Mei Ling silenced him with her paw, smiling softly. "Fufie...please. Just for this one night...don't think so hard. Thinking too much has made you lose many chances that can only be taken at the heat of the moment. That is what Po and Fenghuang are becoming better at doing. So please. We can sort all of this out later, when there's light outside. But for now...just enjoy this moment as it is. Okay?" She removed her paw as Shifu was left standing in awe at her confidence. But then again, that was one of the things that closely drew him to her. She knows exactly what she wants, while he's still trying to figure that out. But he did now. At least for the most part.

"Well then, it's good to see that you two have made up for real, this time!"

Shifu and Mei Ling's eyes widened as they heard someone slide the door oopen and close it behind them. It was Taotie, carrying his own cup of tea with him as he took a seat befoe the two of them. He turned towards Shifu with an annoyed, deadpan expression. "And as I valculated would happen, she had to take the initiative before you could actually go for it yourself. You really are hopeless sometimes, Shifu."

"How...how much did you hear...?"

"Enough." Was the simple reply. "She's right about one thing. It's definitely not bad to think abgout certain things, Shifu. But in your case, you think FAR too much. It's caused you to either made cold decisions or lose your chance to take action. And look hw many friends that has caused you, and how a member of your family turned against you when you thought too long." Shifu's ears flattened against his head. Taotie landed a hand on his shoulder. "I will admit, some of these outcomes were out of your control whether you thought on them or not. But at least, you've become to try and take matters into your own paws instead of thinking too long on something." Taotie sighed as he removed his hand and sipped some of his tea. "Leave the super heavy thinking to me, Shifu. Because when you do it too often, chances are lost. And people like Mei Ling have to fulfill something for you. Are you going to keep letting that happen?"

Shifu thoughton what Taotie said, and nodded softly when he gazed towards Mei Ling. She too smiled in turn. "You're right, Taotie. I hesitate quite a lot on certain things that I wish that I could act quicker upon."

"Like he said, leave the super heavy thinking about certain situations to him." Mei Ling smiled as she placed a paw atop Shifu's, smiling sweetly. "You an't focus on everysingle thing all by yourself, Fufie. That's why you have to let your loved ones step in once in a while. We're more than happy to help you when you need it."

"There are some things that you can do that I can't, and vice versa." Taotie said. "Maybe you've somewhat lost touch with that after all the misfortune you had experienced ever since this large journey started. You need someone who has your back when you need the support. And the same thing goes for us. For everyone, really."

Mei Ling gently squeezed Shifu's paw while her other paw rubbed her chin. "I believe I can see quite a bit of us within six others. Po, Tigress, and Fung. As well as Peng, Lian, and Bian Zao. There's someone who always takes action. Then there's someone who has a far balance of thinking AND taking action. And there's the other who's thinking borders on worrying too much. Well, except Bian Zao. He's simply to lazy to worry about the future or ponder about the past. All he wants to do is sleep."

Taotie glared at her. "That is NOT true! My son doesn't wat to do JUST sleeping! He...uh...likes to drink tea, too! it's not always about pure laziness with him! He just can't bother to gather up the energy to use his sharp mind sometimes! That's what Lian does, he kicks him out of a trance whether he likes it or not, especially when things need to be done, and done quickly."

Shifu stroked his thin beard, chuckling softly. "Yes. It turns out that Lian is the one who is most reckless within that trio, while Peng and Bian Zao have to keep her in check. I will admit, I did not see something like that coming."

"You're telling me. Not only that, but she has the both of them at her beck and call." Mei Ling said with a giiggle. "She genuinely loves those two boys. One is her boyfriend and the other is her best friend. And yet despite this, she has them both completely whipped. Just like Tigres does with Po and Fung...I'm so proud of them!" Taotie and Shifu looked at her with slightly deadpan expressions, which soon turned to lsight worry as they then looked at one another. "Oh relax, you two! A girl likes to have her fun in many ways! Some are more...risque than others."

Shifu blushed, this time understanding what she may be implying. "Mei Ling, I hope you're not thinking what I believe your thinking..."

"What do you mean?~" Mei Ling smiled sweetly, feigning innocence as she began petting Shifu's fluffy, bushy tail. "I'm simply saying that once we've grown accustomed to our restored relaionship, I would like to partake in...creative activities in our private time~"

"Like I said before, we aren't as young as we used to be! I don't even know if we can do things like that even if I wanted to!"

Mei Ling leans in and kissed his cheek, letting go of his paw and patting his chest while her other paw continued petting his tail. "Fufie, Fufie, Fufie. You're going to think too deeply on this. I'm saying you don't have to think too much in that regard..because I'll be the one taking control."

Taotie blinked and seemed genuinely curious at Shifu's heavy blushing. "Huh. She's the one who had to initiate you both getting back together, and now she's thinking really far ahead, while you sit there nodding. You're embarrassed, but accepting at the prospect. Are you a submissive, Shifu? Is that what you're into?" It was an analysis, not an attempt at teasing. An yet soehow, that's what it sounded like.

"...Why must you two pick on me so much..." Shifu mumbled uneasily, as Taotie and Mei Ling began laughing again. They calmed down as Shifu finally managed to get most of the blush off of his face. He then smiles and nods gently to the both of them. "Taotie...Mei Ling. Once again I must say...I missed you. Both of you. We may have had our differences, but I should have never let go of our relationships so easily." He says as he takes each of them by a paw. "I promise you both...I will never leave either of you behind again." They both smiled widely at this, and shared an embrace altogether.

It took a long while. But his bonds with Taotie and Mei Ling are fully beginning to reform. Like the latter said before, he wouldn't think too much about what happened yesterday, or what might happen tomorrow. Right now, he would simply enjoy the fact that his best friend and his girlfriend respectively were fully coming back into his life afte a painfully long time apart from them.

Yesterday is history...Tomorrow is a mystery...but today, is a gift. That is why it's called the 'Present'~

Once upon a time, Oogway told him these words and he didn't understand how they could be applied. Though now that he's experienced a moment like this, as well as a silent realization to a big motivation behind the actions of Po and Fenghuang...he was finally getting an idea of it.

And as a result, his respect for the two of them grew.

Mei Ling was done waiting. Knowing that she had lost Shifu's heart lon ago, she wasted no time stealing it back. And for the first time in a long time, Shifu's glad she did steal something. The holes in his heart are slowly being filled by the bonds of his loved ones. This it yet another stage in which Shifu will become a much happier person.

Of course, for making her wait so long, now she wants to do... risque things with him. Things that should probably stay private. Shifu's scared...yet intrigued. Taotie finds a bit of amusement within this, and doesn't bother helping him out of it. Shifu is not amused.

...Wan would get a kick out of this. Ha.

See ya later, until the next chapter!