Chapter 12: Loud Silence

During the next few weeks, Dai and Po were quiet around each other. They only said what was necessary, which usually involved a lot of apologies for clumsiness. They were both trying hard to not let the other know about their feelings. Everyone else, on the other hand, seemed to see the picture pretty clearly.

During a normal mission, Po and Dai were fighting the pigs, Bao and his two companions, common thieves. They were kinda reputable for their… dimness. However, even they caught onto the fact that Dai was tripping over herself and trying to avoid Po like the plague while Po kept staring at her for too long and tripping over himself.

"What's going on?" asked Bao.

"Maybe they're sick or something," suggested one of the others.

"If that's true, we better get outta here," said the third. They dropped what they had stolen and ran off.

Of course, this earned a good scolding from Shifu when they got back to the Jade Palace. "We're sorry, Master Shifu. It won't happen again," said Po.

"Yeah. All professional from here on out," said Dai.

"I know that. Which is why I am not allowing the two of you to be partnered on missions anymore," said Shifu.

"What?" asked Po, shocked.

"Master, please reconsider, this is all my fault," said Dai.

"My decision is made. Unless you two can start working together again like kung fu masters, you won't be allowed to work together," said Shifu.

Dai shook and felt her eyes sting with possible tears. Instead, she bowed and said, "Yes, Master Shifu," and left the room without another word.

From that day on, whenever Po was in the room, Dai left. Po, on the other hand, didn't want to avoid her. He wanted to be with her again.

A little over a week had passed since Shifu made his declaration to them. Po was sitting on the steps of the training hall looking glum. Monkey came by and said, "Hey, Buddy, why so down?"

"Ugh, it's this stupid order Shifu gave Dai and I about not going on missions together anymore. Ever since he said that, Dai's been avoiding me. I don't understand," said Po. "I thought we were friends."

"I'm sure she'll come back around in no time. She's probably just trying to follow orders," said Monkey.

"I would too, but… I really miss being around her."

"She's your buddy, huh?" Monkey teased, elbowing Po.

"She's my best friend! Well, I mean, next to you guys, of course."

Little did Po and Monkey know, but Dai had been listening. She stepped out from behind one of the pillars. Sensing someone there, Po and Monkey both turned toward her.

"Dai, hey! Don't go, we should hang out again. I know we can't go on missions anymore, but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends," said Po.

"Friends… is that what I am to you?" asked Dai.

Po couldn't place why she spoke like that, exactly. Even he wasn't sure of the answer he gave: "Well, yeah."

"Huh." Dai put a hand over her heart and looked down, downcast. "That hurt more than I thought it would," she said quietly. She leaped over their heads and started running.

"Dai, wait!" Po called out.

He ran after her, as best as he could. She was going pretty fast for him though. She ran, tears in her eyes, on all fours. She ran until she reached the Dragon Grotto. Being far ahead from Po, she hid behind the dragon there.

Po got there a short time later, out of breath. "Dai!" he called out. He was wheezing from the run. He put his hands on his knees and took a few deep breaths. "Dai!" She didn't respond.

Po called out again, "Dai, I know you're here! Come on!"

Dai's tears fell softly. She didn't respond. Neither could see the other, but they sensed each other nonetheless.

"Dai… I don't know what's been going on lately," said Po. He took a seat on a rock in the middle of the pool. He sat flat on the ground, his legs spread out. He didn't look at anything in particular. "It's hard to explain…"

Dai's ears perked up. What does he mean?

"I didn't really know what I was feeling. I've… I've never really been in love before, I don't think. I've liked other girls before, but this… this feels different. I don't know how to explain it.

"I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I know you've been avoiding me lately, but I always try to see you at least once every day, because I'm so afraid…" He paused. "I'm so afraid that one day you might not be there. I've… I've never felt anything quite like this before.

"When you're around, you're all I can look at. When you talk, I listen. I've become amazed at the person you are… even though there are a lot of people who still look at you as just a wolf, just a thief, a bad guy, you always come through. You always prove them wrong… and I find that so amazing about you, Dai.

"I never got to know my mom. I never got to see a lot of people acting like a couple in my life. The whole concept is so different to me. I… I know now that I don't want to be just friends though. I just said that because I didn't know what else to say.

"I just wish you would talk to me," he concluded quietly. Po felt a few tears fall. He looked into the water and saw a reflection of the dragon and Dai looking right at him. He turned and looked at her.

"Why'd you stop? You were just getting to the good part," said Dai jokingly. She was crying just as much as he was.

They both laughed then. Dai leapt into his arms and he caught her and spun her around. He set her down, but didn't let go. It was the closest they had been in a while. They both felt a little embarrassed.

"I-I don't know what else to say," said Po, smiling widely.

Dai laughed. "Do you really want me to be the one to say it first?" Po laughed at that. "Because I'd much rather hear it from you."

There was no sound then. They stared into each other's eyes. Dai had her hands on his shoulders and Po had his right hand on her back and his left hand on the right side of her face. They were looking at each other, still a little scared to say the words out loud.

"I, uh…" Po said. "You really want me to be the one to say it?" He was blushing like mad now.

Dai seemed to match him, but it was harder to see due to her black fur. She just replied to him with a nod.

Po took a shaky deep breath to try to calm down. Their hearts were racing. He hugged her closer and whispered in her ear, so quiet it was lucky she had good hearing. "I love you."

Dai smiled and let out a few shaky sobs of relief. Po was panicked for a second and pulled back to look at her. "Did I say something wrong?!" he asked, taking her face in his hands, concerned.

"No, Po," she replied with a smile. "I'm just happy, because I love you too."

They both laughed joyfully. Po hugged her close and they both cried. He picked her up and whirled her around again. All of the tension, the awkwardness, the silence, could end now. This marked a new beginning.

'Bout time those two got together. Feels like they've been working up to this for years lol. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for the next. It's not over yet ;) Please keep reading and reviewing, thanks :D

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