The Family Riff
Tigress was walking down the hall with her face towards the ground and her arms crossed. On the opposite side of the hall was Tai-Lung with his head in deep thought trying to figure out what Po meant by "what she didn't have". What did he mean by that? Finally, they looked up and noticed each other. They stopped and stood awkwardly looking at each other. "Oh hey, Tigress," Tai-Lung said quietly.
"Hey, Tai," Tigress said smiling sadly. Tai-lung chuckled. "What?"
"It's been a while since I've heard my old nickname," he said. "Listen I-" he was interrupted by whispering. "Come on," they went to where Po and Shifu were talking. They hid quietly out of sight.
"What is it that troubles you, Dragon Warrior?" Shifu asked. Po walked around for a moment before speaking.
"A family matter that has been entrusted to me," Po replied. "But I need your opinion before I do anything." Master Shifu rubbed his chin.
"Okay, panda. Let me hear it," he replied.
"There is a man who is father to his son, who is adopted. The man gave all his love to his son, and the son loved his father, but the son committed a crime that sent him away in exile. The father had a second son who loved the father, but the father didn't show any love for him. The second son did everything in his power to get the father to love him, but he never got it. Then, the father adopted another son, but the father absolutely hated this son, and as a result, the second son hated him, too. But the third son somehow managed to get the first son and the rest of the family back together, and they live happily ever after. Now, tell me who is at fault for this family riff?" Po finally asked. Shifu was silent for a while.
"I would think the father, for not loving all his sons equally," Shifu said accusingly, "who would do such a thing?!" Po came closer to Shifu.
"You would," he said quietly. Shifu stepped back surprised while Tigress and Tai-Lung were confused.
"What do you mean?" Shifu asked.
"You adopted Tai-Lung into your family like he was your own son, which is not a sin. But after he was arrested, you never showed your love to anyone, especially to Tigress, who did everything in her power to receive your love. Yet, you never gave it to her. So she thinks that no one loves her, because no one has ever shown her love. She says its for the weak. My power uses love for everyone, that's why I'm the strongest. Then there's me. I, unknowingly, was sent to unite this separated family, yet you taught the Furious Five that I didn't belong here. I have no anger against you now, nor will I ever, but that still leaves Tigress in the dark. How do you think she feels when she thinks no one loves her? How did you feel when your father left you?" Po asked seriously. Shifu looked at the ground ashamed. "It's not too late. You were partially wise in not showing Tigress love because she probably would have been another Tai-Lung. But that pain is still there. That's all I have to say." Po started to walk away.
"Po," Shifu called out stopping him. "Thank you for telling me the truth. Thank you so much." He said bowing. Po bowed too and then left. Tai-Lung and Tigress left quietly and went to the sacred peach tree. They sat down and were quiet for a long time. Tai-Lung sighed.
"I'm so sorry, Tigress," he said. Tigress was confused.
"For what?" She asked
"For stealing Shifu's love from you. I-I wish I never came here. Then you would have the love you desire," Tai-Lung lamented.
"It wasn't your fau-"
"Yes it was! If I were never born, I wouldn't have caused you so much grief," he said sadly.
"If you didn't come, then I would become you," Tigress replied.
"I'm so sorry," Tai-lung whispered.
"I guess I owe you an apology," Tigress said as Tai-lung shot his head up in confusion. "All this time I thought that there wasn't an ounce of heart in you. I thought that you were ultimately this heinous criminal that Master Shifu loved more than me. I didn't think you could change so much. And you've actually helped me a lot. It seemed for a while that only Po cared for me like a sister, but you've taken care of me more than I can measure. And only in a few years. That...I'm thankful for." Tai-Lung surprised her greatly when he hugged her. Tigress slowly hugged back. In the distance, Shifu was watching in silence his students, his children.