Three months had passed since Viper had returned back to the Jade Palace.

Just her.

Alone.

She could still remember the looks on the fellow masters faces when she slithered into the great hall. They were happy. Happy that she had returned from her mission. Although it didn't take long before they started asking where Mike was. After she had told them everything... well, the happiness faded all too quickly. Without her sweet python it had been tough carrying on with her duties. It clearly showed its toll through small accidents or mistakes made throughout her training and chores. Not only for her but for everyone upon learning what had happened at Gongmen and the destroyed mountain, though none more than the poor green snake herself.

Everyone close to Mike understandably felt some form of sorrow. Especially Yinshen who was the first person Viper had informed about Mikes apparent death when passing back through Gongmen city. Viper couldn't recall a time she had seen the feline so quiet and devoid of life despite the short time they had properly spent together, but the green snake understood all too well. How could she not? Both python and panther had started out as enemies, eventually bonding as allies and soon after friends, managing to even take down a dangerous warlord together. And Yinshen fought through it all with a smile on her face and a cocky attitude to go along with it. And yet the only thing Viper could remember seeing of her upon leaving Gongmen city was her sad eyes, drooping ear and distraught voice. Mike had been her best friend, even if she never admitted it. Viper could only pray to the gods that she was doing okay and recovering from her loss. But it seemed doubtful.

Not that anybody else fared any better. The loss of a brother in arms was a heavy blow to all members of the Jade Palace.

During the start of these three months, Viper had been very quiet. Very anti-social even, separating herself from her friends whenever it came time to eat. During training she became robotic and cold, lacking her usual flare and even went so far as to lash out in rare circumstances. It was understandable. Mike and Vipers friendship had started off rocky, but it had quickly developed into something beautiful. Romantic even. Vipers first experience of love outside her romance novels. One that she would never forget.

Now however, at the end of those months she had managed to overcome this tragedy mostly. She was back to her old cheerful, supportive self now but anytime someone brought up Mikes name or did or said something that reminded her of him, she couldn't help but become a little depressed. She would manage to move on completely in time, but it would be a very long recovery.

./././././././././.

1 week later...

Shifu slowly made his way up the stairway that led to the Peach tree. A beautiful spot and one of the most revered areas on the Jade Palace grounds Normally it was the perfect spot for meditation and reflect upon the unknown mysteries that the universe held secret, or in Po's case the perfect spot to get a few extra z's in before the days end. This spot held both precious and upsetting memories for the elderly red panda, from the times he spent meditating with his own master, training his students and striving for inner peace up to seeing former grand master Oogway for the final time as he took his first steps into the great beyond and the destruction of the original peach tree. This spot had plenty of history that only a handful truly knew about.

However Shifu found no inspiration to mediate. Instead he had come here planning to have a chat with one of his many students. One he believed needed counselling considering the rough and life changing experiences that she had been forced to endure, and at such a young age too. While his own experiences on love was limited, he was certainly no stranger to heartbreak. He supposed he had Mei Ling to thank for that. Regardless, he felt that as Grand master of the Jade Palace, the responsibility fell to him to help his students with whatever issues they may face no matter what shape or form.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs he found nothing but the small flat surface of the area. No one but himself to be seen. In spite of this, Shifu slowly walked over to the ledge in front of him and sat down. He knew he was exactly where he needed to be. Rather than chase his students to seek his advise, he preferred for them to find him, whether he intended for them to or not. Today was no different. He sat down on the spot he had chosen, crossed his legs and closed his eyes. All Shifu had to do now was wait.

Twenty minutes passed by before his ears picked up the sound of something approaching. It was a very faint noise that only a handful of species could sense. The twitch in the red pandas left ear confirmed this. The obvious slithering slowly grew louder and louder until it reached the top of the peak before coming to a direct halt. It could then be heard turning round. It was clear that the newcomer didn't wish to disturb their master, but this is exactly what Shifu had hoped for.

"Is all well, master Viper?" He asked without turning round. The slithering sound halted once more.

"Forgive me master Shifu." Viper bowed. "I did not realize you had chosen this spot. I will find another to meditate from."

"That won't be necessary. Come, join me."

The green tree snake reluctantly obliged and slithered up to the right side of Shifu before coiling up on the spot and began to meditate also. A little while passed before Shifu thought it wise to talk again.

"It seems you have chosen a new area of solitude I see." He stated bluntly. "Is your room in the barracks no longer able to suit your needs?"

A moment of silence passed before his partner responded. "The room is fine, it's just... not so easy considering... it was once OUR room. It holds too many memories of him."

Shifu opened his eyes. He too had been affected by the loss of his student. The python had shown promising kung fu abilities throughout his journey of training. Had he still been around there may have been no limit to what could have been achieved. But the bitterness of reality sunk in at once. That possibility was now just an abandoned path on the road of fate, never to be explored.

"I understand. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Master Mike. I haven't felt this way for a long time. Not since... since Tai Lung."

Shifu remembered the bitter memory well. From the moment he first took in Tai Lung when he was but a small defenseless cub up to his last battle with the villainous beast that was once his son. Everything after that was history.

"I realize it may not be exactly the same as what you are going through Master Viper, but I can say that I certainly understand to a certain extent. Losing the one who's closest to your heart is an uphill battle. Hard-fought and not without suffering. And even when you've made it to the top, victory becomes a bitter sensation."

Viper looked up to her Master. "Is it a feeling that gets better in time?"

Shifu held in a sigh.

"In time... it becomes tolerable."

It was not the answer Viper had hoped to hear and Shifu knew it. But he also knew that there was a difference between wanting to hear something and needing to hear it. Right now it was clear which of the two Viper needed to accept.

"Loss comes in many shapes and forms Mater Viper. It could be say, a favorite toy from your childhood, a family heirloom that carries more sentimental value than any precious metal ever could, or even someone we've grown attached to." Shifu took a moment to take his own words in before continuing. "And when it is lost, you have to ensure that you don't lose yourself as well. Something that not everyone can do so easily."

"But master Shifu, I can't forget about Mike. I don't want to forget him!"

"And so you shouldn't." The red panda agreed. "The path to enlightenment is not to forget the hardships we face, but to embrace them. It is only then does the fog of doubt clear and you can move forward."

Viper remained still for a few moment before acknowledging Shifus words by making a small nodding motion and chose to return to her meditation. It was clear to Shifu that she didn't wish to talk on the subject any longer so the red panda decided to drop the subject, for now anyway. With that, the two spent the rest of the afternoon attempting to reach the inner peace they sought. For Viper, the recovery of her love and for Shifu, preparing Po for what may be his toughest lesson yet. Becoming a teacher and mentoring the Furious five. Tomorrow was certainly going to be... interesting.