Chapter Six Stolen

"Yes Tigress, it is morning. Are you sure your up for this?" Po asked helping her sit up. He could tell something was bothering her.

"Yes Po. I really want to talk about this. It's past time to. We should have talked about all of this sooner. I don't know where to start though." Tigress sighed at her growling stomach. Seeing Po grin she covered her stomach.

" Why don't we start with breakfast then I will tell you everything." Po said while helping her out of bed. "Does noodles ,and bean buns sound ok?" Po questioned her. She nodded quietly as he helped her into the kitchen, and into a chair. Smiling he ran around the corner to cook.

Sitting quietly in her chair Tigress wondered where to begin. 'I guess I could just come out and tell him I love him, or maybe I could just say I really like him. Yet one is to strong, while the other is just childish. I wonder what he will say. Maybe he doesn't have feelings for me, or maybe he isn't looking for a relationship right now. Maybe I should just say we can talk about it another time.' The sizziling in the kitchen continued at a slower pace.

While cooking in the back Po's thoughts wandered. 'I think I will just tell her the stages of my feelings. If she Doesn't feel the same though, it would end up really embarassing. No worse than the moment I met her as a child, I would guess.' Finishing the cooking he quickly dished it onto plates, and cleaned up. Running back around the corner with plates of food, he smiled seeing Tigress once again lost in thought. "Food is served, Bon Apeite Master Tigress." He said in his cheesiest acsent, resulting in a laugh from Tigress. The food tasted absulutely amazing. Tigress seemed pleased, and finished a second helping rather quickly. "Now that we're done. I thought I would start from the begining. When we first met, and my feelings from there on." Po said quickly mustering what courage he had to finish the promise he made.

"First when we met it was the first time you got noodles, at my dad's shop, and you glared at me. I remember having the biggest crush on you after that. I thought you were the prettiest girl around. Then years later when I was able to start training with you, I realized how out of my leage you were. So I trained to the point of breaking and defeated Tia Lung. When you showed me respect back there I thought I finally had a chance. By the time we got to Shen's palace I was able to tell only myself that I loved you. You had stolen my heart, and I didn't really want you to give it back. When I was shot by that cannon the relief I had when I realized it didn't hit you was a little overwhelming. When you did get hit by the cannon I... well, I felt like the world was ripped from under me. When I saw that you were alive I found my inner peace. I found it through you. During my battle with Kai was no better. I saw the fear of loosing the battle in your eyes so I gave my life to protect you, because I love you. Not for any other real reason. I had to save you. Then when I came back, and everyone rushed into my arms I was happy that you came to me more than the others. To me it prooved that you cared. Even if it wasn't in the same way.
To this point, I love you Tigress. I won't hide that anymore." Po spoke quickly and looked into her eyes from across the table. 'At first she didn't look happy at all. In fact I thought she was going to leap across the table and gut me into next Tuesday. She looked at me and smiled. Now that I Never expected.' Po thought.

"Thank you for telling me this, Po. I think I should start now." Tigress said. " When I first met you I thought you were a lazy, good for nothing panda. Those thoughts continued until after you defeated Tia Lung. Afterwords, you were just a friend, and team member. Then during our time in Gongmen I realized I liked you even more than a friend . You were not only my closest friend but I really cared about you. When you were shot by the cannon I felt like part of me died. Then I took the cannon for you, and was content but you went out to defend China still, and I will admit I just wanted you to stay. Finally when you sacrificed yourself to stop Kai I was destraught. I thought I would never see you again. I think that was when I realized I loved you. I couldn't say it then, but I can now. I love you Po. I really do. That's why I'm happy and smiling, even a little embarrased." Tigress said smiling a very shy smile.

Coming around the table Po wrapped his arms around her. "Will you be my girlfriend then?" Po whispered.

"Of course." Tigress answered. Looking him in the eyes. Leaning in to match Po's movements they kissed, and she smiled into. Only to be interrupted by a small, but deep cough. Looking down at the door stood Mantise, in utter shock.

"I'm sorry Shifu! I failed!" He screamed laying on the floor looking sickly pale. Po ran towards him, and put him on the table.

"What do you mean by you failed Mantise?" Po demanded. Looking all the more worried.

"I was supposed to warn you that any emotional entaglement would activate the poison, and she would turn!" Mantise cried. "But I wasn't here in time to save her." Po staggered back in shock. ' This couldn't be happening, there is no way that I just made the poison activate' Po's thoughts screamed. Gas filled the room. Mantise passed out, and Po struggled to breath. Hitting the floor Po watched helplessly as an angry wolf carried Tigress out the door.