Tofu Noodle Soup

"Order up." Po spoke, before busied himself back at the kitchen counter within the barrack's kitchen/dining hall room.

Tigress should have known something was up when all the rest of the five and master Shifu, chose to -at the last second- have dinner at Mr. Ping's noodle shop without telling her during practice.

So maybe she could of prevent herself from the situation she's in now. Sitting at the dining table, staring at the 'noodle soup' Po just place in front of her.

Normally Tigress would of disregard the bowl of soup Po made and went to make her usual Wednesday dinner; stir-fry tofu. But she can't for a couple of reasons.

The first one being though he made the soup. Tigress knows Po's not the mastermind behind her situation. Leading to her second reason. Her adopted daughter Lei-Lei.

The little 3-year-old panda, sitting on Tigress's left. Clearly told Tigress her daughter's the mastermind behind all this.

Naturally impressed with how Lei Lei's been sneaky enough to use cuteness against the residences of the Jade Palace; since becoming her daughter a few months ago. Including Master Shifu where all the little panda does is tear up and the red panda is putty in Lei Lei's paw.

However now, with Lei-Lei throwing those adorable pouty violets up at her. Though still impressed, Tigress hates it when Lei-Lei uses it on her. Cause regardless most can't wine her down. Her daughter can.

Not only that, but noticing the untouched soup bowl in front her daughter; which usually no drop would be left in it by now. Tigress realized Lei Lei's not going to eat until she does.

So knowing no other choice. Sighing at being beaten so easily, Tigress, with spoon in paw, scoops up some of the steaming hot soup, and takes a sip of the broth.

Of course the spicy broth flavor was the same as Ping's broth, if maybe slightly spicier. But it wasn't until she ate a bit of the noodles, when Po's soup stops being similar to Ping's. For it's even better.

Although Ping's noodle soup is tasty and filling. Po's soup not only delicious to her taste buds, but, having her forgetting table manners, took mouthful of the soup until it was gone.

Taken back by her mother almost eating like she's never had manners before. Lei-Lei remain gawking at Tigress in shock, making her truly forgetting about her own soup. Mostly it being her mother had drilled table manners within her early kung-fu lessons.

Po seeing this told her to "eat up." before, without speaking, replace Tigress's empty bowl with a filled one, before sitting down on Tigress's right at the table, with his own portion of soup.

Considering Po her father figure, Lei-Lei did as he said, and started into her soup. Tigress, however, instead of 'pigging out' on the second bowl -though her stomach wanted more- she took the time to sip some tea, and collect herself for the behavior she displayed a second ago.

"So, Tigress. You like the soup?" Trying not to clinch the cup in her paw enough to break it, Tigress shift her eyes to Po, while still remaining in a calm state.

"Do I need to answer. Or did you go blind the couple of seconds I was eating the first bowl." Nearly growling this out, though her outside look calm as a cucumber.

"Mommy be nice." Lei-Lei begun, where Tigress felt a soft little cubby paw touch the lower part of her arm. "Daddy just wants to know if you like the soup he make."

The month returning home with Lei-Lei. The little panda started giving everyone labels. Tigress is mommy. Monkey, Mantis, Crane are uncles. Like Viper is aunt. And both Shifu and Ping are grandpa. Labels at first felt odd to the others including Tigress; being she's never called Shifu anything but master growing up. But eventually they all accepted their titles.

However, having Lei-Lei consider Po as daddy took a bit longer for Tigress to handle. And although she made it seem she hated her daughter calling Po by daddy to everyone. That's not the truth. In fact, deep down she relishes in watching Po and Lei-Lei react in a father and daughter relationship, and how co- 'parenting's' matured the big panda. Not to mention Po was right of her finding inner peace once she had Lei-Lei in her life again.

Unfortunately, the same thing couldn't be said for her chi. Cause currently she barely can bloom a flower before becoming exhausted. Sadly, she knows why she's having trouble with her chi. Secret no one knows but the late Master Yijiro and herself. And knowing nothing can come out of if the secret is reveal. She rather it remains a secret.

Nonetheless of her feelings to it. Tigress has, like the other five -after each of them spending weeks teasing both her and Po- accepted how Lei-Lei sees Po. But the same couldn't be said for Master Shifu. He's just starting to get past his granddaughter thinks 'the dragon warrior' is her dad.

"Of course, sweetie." Tigress says, brushing a paw upon her daughter's head; purposely touching the flower bows in her pigtails. With one look at her daughter the hardcore state Tigress's known for. Disappeared. Sighing within, Tigress once more turned eyes to Po. "Sorry Po. And to answer you. Yes, the soup is moderately delicious." Here it's hard not to see the pride on Po's face at her words. "But."

"But? Why but?" Lately it's taking a lot not to laugh at Po being Po. Which makes her envy him? For even with the powerful titles he holds in all of China. Po hasn't change. Though truly Tigress is glad for this.

"Po." with a touch of her paw over his, she had the panda no longer freaking out. She even gave it a small squeeze before removing her paw. "I just want to know. If this soup is the same as your dad's? Then why does it taste different?"

Po opens his mouth to speak.

"Really mommy? Cause my soup taste like grandpa Ping's." But got cut off by little Lei-Lei speaking. "But daddy's soup is sweeter though."

"That's cause I always add a bit of honey in your soup, Tigerlilly." There it was. Her heart flutters at Po calling Lei-Lei the nickname he gave her a second after she called him daddy the first time. Nonetheless of the feeling. Tigress didn't show it on the outside. Though no one could deny the small smile painting her lips.

"So honey is what's making it taste different?" Po shook his head at Tigress's assuming. She passes over the plate of steamed lotus root stuffed with sweet rice at the center of the table, to Lei-Lei so she could reach them, with her chopsticks.

"No I only put honey in hers. But I add something else in your soup."

"Oh like what?" she asked once seeing Lei-Lei eating some of the stuffed lotus roots.

"Take a look at your soup." Casually he finishes off one of the plum dumplings; aside the plate of stuff lotus roots. The first being a dessert from his dad during his and Lei-Lei's lunch at the shop. "Trust me, you'll see the add ins." Though a part said she could beat the answer out of him. Tigress instead lowered her sight to the soup; studying it. Missing the curious expression stuck on his face.

Right away noticing the noodles, but seeing nothing different she moves on. The kale looks fine; though there's celery with it. The broth color is the same as Ping's. So why is this diff-.

Halting in thought as she raised her spoon; she's been using to see all within the bowl. Tigress is nearly speechless at staring at the white almost light brown small cube block on her spoon.

"Tofu?!"

"Well it's stir-fry like you like it, but yeah I added tofu to it, and celery." Stated Po, before stuffing another dumpling into his mouth. "and a bit more 'Szechuan peppercorns' blended into the tofu."

Touched by the simple gestures. Tigress, once eating the bit on her spoon, smiled bigger than she done in years. Action causing Po to halt in sipping up the broth from his bowl, to stare in amazement at his best friend's beautiful smile, making him want to tell her she should smile more often.

Unfortunately, already seeing how that will go in his head. Po shivered at the thought of a rage tiger on his tail. Causing him to almost miss what Tigress says.

"I hate to break it to you. But since this soup is beyond amazing." Here pausing, Tigress takes a savoring sip of her soup. "I hope to see it every Wednesday from now on." Stopping in speaking, but not to eat the soup. Tigress locks golden red eyes to his jade greens. Making the panda feel shivers again, but these shivers didn't bring fear. It brought something unknown but also dare he say it…. pleasure? "If you don't mind, Po?"

It's how his name slips from her lips, that causes warmth to fill his face, like he was getting a fever, also wanting to pee really bad. Tigress knowing well what she's doing, but sure Po wont pick-up on it right away. She allows her tail to wave a bit playfulness behind her as Po respond with.

"Not at all, Tigress. It's been a dream of mine to cook for you."

"Then I'm glad I could make it come true." And with that the three continued their dinner in comfortable peace.

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