Appreciation
"YOU USE TO BE A THIEF?!" the Furious Five and Tai-gee said in unison. Po rubbed his head with his hand.
"I was hoping you wouldn't find out," he muttered.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Monkey.
"And give you another reason for you to get rid of me when I first came here?" Po shot back. This made almost everyone ashamed.
"Why didn't you tell us after that though?" Tai-gee asked.
"I honestly forgot. The gap of time between me being chosen Dragon Warrior and me being a thief is about five years. I was a kid at that time." Po explained.
"Why did you do it?" Tai-gee asked. Po sighed.
"It was a time where I was doing stupid stuff. I mean, more than I do now. It was just a time of bad behavior," he said. This seemed to satisfy the Furious Five and Shifu and they walked out of the kitchen in the Jade Palace. But his brother wasn't. He sat down next to Po and said.
"Now why did you really do it?" Po looked all around to make sure no one was listening.
"Because no one cared. No one cared for me so why should I care for them? I should have what I want whenever I want it. So I became a thief and I started robbing people until my dad stopped me and confronted me about it. He told me that I was deeply care for by him. And that's all that mattered that one person did care for me." At this time, Monkey casually came to the kitchen when he stop to ease drop on their conversation.
"Po, I care. And I think I believe I figured out why you had such a terrible life. You were looking for help where there is none. You were looking for love from people when they wouldn't give it to you. Here's what I say. Stop looking. Love is not something that is searched after. It is something that is always given, not always received. You're in your prime, still at a young age." Po looked at his brother.
"I'm 29 years old. What are you talking about young?" Po argued. This shocked Tai-gee and Monkey, who was listening out of sight.
"Really? I thought that you were 19 or 20. You don't look like your age. But still you have to love others even if the others never appreciate you," Tai-gee said. Then he asked, "How come everyone thinks you're 20? I mean, that's what I heard."
"In the village no one celebrated my birthday except my dad. So almost no one knows my age," Po replied. At this moment Monkey's heart was heavy and he went to tell the others. "Anyways, now that that bump in the road is gone, back to the plan. We need some time."
"Po, is it because you use to be a thief that you can relate to criminals so much?" Tai-gee asked. Po shrugged. Tai-gee shook his head while giving his brother a noogie.
About a few days later, Po and Tai-gee noticed something wrong with Shifu and the Furious Five. Shifu, Crane, and Tigress looked at Po a little sad. Especially, Tigress. Monkey and Mantis would hang around Po more often. And Viper was busily running up an down the mountain excited beyond belief. Finally, Tai-gee decided to ask Shifu what was the matter. Shifu explained that they were throwing Po a surprise party for his birth, life, and to show appreciation for him. "Do you mean for him, or for the Dragon Warrior?" Tai-gee asked meaningfully. He asked this because he didn't want his brother's title to be the sole reason that they were throwing this party. Shifu thought for a moment.
"For Po of course," he answered. So Tai-gee helped along. When the day came, Tai-gee lured Po to Mr. Ping's shop where the the Furious Five, Shifu, Zeng, and Mr. Ping were there to surprise him. Po was shocked and asked what was all this for.
"It's for being such a great person and an even better friend," Crane said happily. "That and it's to celebrate all the birthdays you didn't have." Po looked at Tai-gee.
"You told them," Po asked. Tai-gee shook his head.
"Monkey overheard us talking," He accused the monkey. Monkey smiled guiltily. Master Tigress came up humbly and said.
"Happy Birthday, Po" she said presenting a cake. Po stood there motionless. Then tears came running down his cheeks as he slowly smiled. All he could do was simply bow. Everyone could see in his tears years of hurt and sadness flowing out. Now only joy filled his eyes. Even in this emotional state, he tried his best to be honorable.
"Thank you," he whispered wiping away his tears. "Now, let's eat." Po enjoyed the party while Tai-gee was in the corner watching his brother have a good time. Tigress sat beside him.
"It must warm your heart to see him like this," she said smiling a little.
"He's had so much hurt welled up that it only seems fair for him to have something like this," Tai-gee replied.
"I just can't believe he's nearly 30. He and I are the same age," Tigress said.
"Yeah, he doesn't look like it. I mean I'm 38 and it just blows my mind to see him at 29. He looks so young," Tai-gee exclaimed. He looked at Tigress. He didn't realize he was staring until she turn to see him. He quickly turned his head.
"What's wrong?" Tigress asked concerned.
"Nothing," Tai-gee denied.
"It must be if you were staring like that," Tigress said smirking.
"I wasn't staring I was-" Tai-gee just condemned himself. Tigress smirked as Tai-gee tried to search for words. "Um...heheh" Tigress shook her head. He must have gotten his nervousness from Po. It's a marvel how things have changed.
One year passed by. Tai-gee had been more and more accepted by the village. He wanted to take off his mask and show himself, but Po wouldn't allow it. "Four more years. And then you can." Of course those four years would never come.