A/N: I do not own KUNG FU PANDA or any of its characters, locations, etc. They belong solely to DREAMWORKS ANIMATION. I can only claim my OC's. You steal, you die! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Yeah, I know, these updates are coming a lot more slowly compared to my other stories, but when life gets in the way, there's nothing much I can do about it. But don't worry, I do have the next chapter nearly all the way typed, so you won't have to wait long for that one.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Departing Gifts

"I really like this place!" Shifu exclaimed to his elder brother, "Oogway is really nice!"

"And did you get a look at that training hall?" Qiang added, "All those swinging clubs with spikes, and the ground where fire shoots out?!"

"Yeah! That was so cool!"

The two boys made their way up a small pathway that led to a blossoming fruit tree. The tiny cliff stood high over the valley so that they could see countless miles in each direction. "This is a killer view!" Qiang said as he stood near the edge, gazing down on the valley below, "Wow! I could get used to this." He gave a rub to his bandaged arm.

Shifu stood behind his bother; apparently uninterested in the view. His attention was more focused on the dangling fruit above his head, and he could hear his stomach give off a tiny growl. He looked around to see if there was anything he could use to retrieve the fruit. Upon finding nothing that would be useful, the cub decided he'd climb the tree instead. He jumped as high as he could, but his fingers barely made contact with the lowest branch. Shifu then tried to scale the twisted trunk of the tree, but he only managed to make it half way up before sliding back down.

The six-year-old cub frowned in frustration from his failed efforts to retrieve a peach, and he tapped his foot impatiently against the ground in hopes that he could somehow find a way to get one. "Qiang, can you help me?"

Qiang turned towards his younger brother.

"I can't reach!" Shifu returned his gaze to the tree, pointing with a tiny finger towards the fruit.

"Qiang gave off a stifled giggle as he walked next to Shifu, "You're doing it the hard way, Fu." He said.

"How else am I supposed to get one then?"

"Like this!" Qiang ran forward, aiming his foot, and delivering a solid kick at the trunk of the tree. The upper branches shuddered from the impact, and several ripe peaches dropped to the ground, bouncing slightly before coming to rest in the tall grass. Qiang managed to catch one before taking a bite out of it.

Shifu gazed wide-eyed at his brother, "How did you know that would work?!"

Qiang swallowed his mouthful before answering, "Well, we're gonna be fighting a lot of bad guys taller than us, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"Baba told me that the best way to take down a large opponent is by taking down their foundation."

"Foundation?" Shifu tilted his head curiously.

"Yeah, their stance, or balance I guess you could say. If you take out their center of balance, they're easier to take down."

"Sooooo…the trunk of the tree is its center of balance?"

"Exactly!" Qiang said, "Sure, it's not an actual bandit or thug, and a simple kick won't bring it down, but it was enough to shake the branches and cause the fruit to fall." The red panda cub then tossed his peach over to his brother, who easily caught it, "Careful not to bite the pit." He said.

Shifu smiled, "You're really smart, Qiang!"

Qiang's ears perked upright and he stood a little taller with pride, "I guess I am."

"The mark of a true warrior is humility, Qiang." Both boys turned their heads to see their father walking up the stone steps towards them. "Don't forget that." He patted Qiang on his shoulder, "So, how are you both liking the Jade Palace?" Zhuang asked his sons.

"It's awesome!" Shifu piped up just before taking a bite out of the peach in his grasp.

Zhuang smiled before readjusting the traveling pack on his shoulder, causing both boys to look at him with curious eyes.

"Are you leaving now, Baba?" Shifu asked, his ears lowering slightly.

"I'm afraid so, Shifu." Zhuang answered half-heartedly.

The cub dropped his half-eaten peach and wrapped his arms around his father's shoulders. He could feel himself being lifted off the ground as Zhuang lifted him into his arms, "I don't want you to go."

"And I don't want to leave you."

"Then why can't we come with you?" Qiang asked.

Zhuang set Shifu back onto solid ground before answering, "You know that's not an option, Qiang. But Oogway has promised me that you both will be safe here, and I will be able to visit you from time to time."

"When will you visit us?" Shifu asked.

Zhuang placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "Sooner than you think." He said.

Qiang raised an eye-brow ever so slightly, wondering why his father hadn't given a straight answer.

"But you know something else?"

"What?" Shifu asked excitedly."

"I have something for the both of you."

The boys perked their ears, "Oh! What is it, what is it?" Shifu hopped up and down with excitement.

Zhuang chuckled as he placed his traveling pack on the ground and undid the draw-strings to open it up, "Keep your tail on, Shifu." He reached into the now opened bag and lifted an ornate wooden box from within its depths. Golden paint bordered the corners and up the sides, and he undid the latch to reveal a simple bamboo flute.

Qiang instantly recognized it, "Hey…isn't that Mama's flute?"

"Yes indeed, Qiang."

The twelve-year-old gazed with longing at the instrument as he remembered the nights when his mother would play a soft melody to lull him to sleep. He missed that about her more than anything, and even more so, he wished she had lived long enough to do the same for his little brother.

Zhuang lifted the bamboo flute from its case, and handed it to his youngest son, "Shifu, I'd like you to have this. Keep it in memory of your mother; and of me as well."

Shifu took the flute in his hands, turning it over and examining every inch of it, "But I don't know how to play a flute." He stated.

Zhuang ruffled the fur on his son's head, "Neither could your mother at one point, but if you practice hard enough, I'm sure you will play beautiful music one day. It will help calm your mind if you are ever in need of it."

Shifu smiled, "Thank you, Baba!"

"And, Qiang, I have this for you." Zhuang reached back into his pack and retrieved an unstrung bow. Its polished surface was nearly black to the look, while intricate designs were carved into it. Next, Zhuang brought out a quiver filled with arrows, all set with eagle feathers. "This bow belonged to your great-great grandfather. It has been passed down from generation to generation, and as my first-born, I now pass it to you."

Qiang gazed with wide eyes towards his father's gift, and he reached forward his hand to feel its smooth surface.

"I fitted the arrows myself for you, and practicing with them will most assuredly strengthen your injured arm. Give it another week or so, and you'll be back to practicing with a sword sooner than you think."

Qiang gave a rub to his bandaged arm before lifting his gaze to meet his father's eyes, "I'll make you proud, Baba. When I'm old enough, I'll be fighting right beside you!"

Zhuang placed a hand on his eldest son's shoulder, "You don't have to prove yourself to me on the field of battle, Qiang. I am already proud of you," Zhuang then pulled both of his sons into a hug, "of both of you."

Shifu clung tightly to his father with his mother's flute still in his grasp, "You're the best baba ever!"

"And you boys are my pride and joy." Zhuang answered, doing his best to remain strong for his sons. His large ears gave a small twitch as the familiar hollow tones of Oogway's staff came in contact with the stone ground of the training courtyard. The elder red panda pulled away from his boys before addressing his youngest, "Shifu, why don't you go and show Oogway your gift? I'm sure he'd love to see it."

"Okay!" Shifu smiled and he scampered down the short flight of steps from the peach tree, and headed off to meet the old Kung Fu Master.

"Shall I go too, Baba?" Qiang asked.

"In a minute, yes, but first, I must speak with you." Zhuang knelt on a bended knee so that he was eye level with his son, "This war is escalating far quicker than any war that has been fought in many centuries…" His voice trailed off before he continued, "It could be a while before I see you or your brother."

"How long are we talking about?" Qiang asked, not entirely sure if he wanted to know the answer.

"It could be years between visits." Zhuang said in a low voice.

Qiang's ears lowered slightly, "Aren't you going to tell Fu?"

"Shifu will no doubt face the reality of it as time passes; it will not be easy for him, which is why you need to be strong for him." Zhuang placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "Qiang, you're all Shifu has right now, protect him. Be an example to him. Let him know that he can always count on you."

Qiang had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from tearing up, and he nodded in response. "I—I will Baba."

Zhuang smiled, and the two of them embraced in a final hug, "Never forget who you are, my son," Zhuang whispered in Qiang's ear, "And never forget how much I love you."

Tears sprang to the cub's eyes, despite the fact that he was trying not to show them, "I love you too, Baba."

A/N: Awwww...Precious Father/Son moment. *Pauses for a moment* WHERE DID IT GO WRONG?!

So THAT'S how Shifu got his flute! I just love taking liberties with that! ^-^

Again, the next chapter is coming soon! I'll probably have it up by this weekend!

R&R, I do love thorough reviews!