The Return Gift

It had been a whole year since Tigress and Tai-lung confessed their love for each other. And again it was the Tai-gee festival. They named it after Tai-Lung's former cover name. The whole village was celebrating. It was also the day that Tigress and Tai-Lung came out with their relationship. The village was overjoyed. As the party went on, Tai-lung noticed that Po was in a corner alone. Tai-lung noticed that Po had been growing more and more distant. He was still goofy sometimes and held a smile, but he was more serious than anything. He seemed at peace, but what a price to pay for peace and be all alone. Tai-Lung tried his best to include Po into things, but he would gently refuse. Finally, when Tai-lung saw that Po was alone in the corner, he said to Tigress,"I'm going to go check on something. I'll be right back." He excused himself without anyone knowing, went to the Sacred Peach Tree, and started to meditate. It took him longer than Po, but he was finally able to enter the High Place.

"Where am I?" Tai-lung muttered

"You're in the High Place, where specially chosen masters go when it is their time," Chung said welcoming the cat. "What is your purpose here, Master Tai-Lung?"

"So this is what it's like. I can see why Po comes here often. I'm sorry, master...what was your question?" Tai-Lung said bewildered.

"What is your purpose here?" The yak asked again.

"Oh yes, well...you know of my brother, Po, who through him I was able to be the man I am today. And you know that his plan for me and everyone, and how he managed to find my true love. He's done all of this through strife, frustration, heartache, and sadness, and I know that all of you would agree that he deserves something great in return. I ask you to give my brother the happiness that he's given me," Tai-Lung explained. Zelon, Oogway, and Chung looked at each other.

"He's right. Po deserves something in return, but what?" Zelon asked his partners.

"I'm guessing a lifetime supply of food wouldn't suffice," Oogway joked but Tai-Lung wasn't laughing.

"Master Oogway, this is serious. I really want to do something for my brother. Please, can you help me?" He asked. The others thought for a moment until Oogway showed a knowing smile.

"A wife," he stated simply. Tai-Lung sighed.

"I was thinking that, but who would be just right for Po?" He questioned. Oogway still smiled.

"You leave that to us. Meanwhile, you go and comfort your brother while we get to work and provide a woman for him," he said. After that, Tai-lung's vision came back to earth where Po was right in front of him. Tai-lung jumped.

"What are you doing?"

"Wondering what you are doing." Po replied. Tai-lung rubbed his eyes as he stood up.

"I was trying to get in the High Place. To see if I could do what you do. But I couldn't do it," Tai-Lung fibbed. He wanted Po's gift to be a surprise. Po patted his brother on the back.

"Not everyone can be gifted," Po said smirking earning him a playful noogie from Tai-lung as they went down the mountain.

"So what was it that you had to do that you went out on the party?" Tigress asked the day after the festival. Tai-Lung sat there with Lion sitting next to him sipping tea in the kitchen.

"I was talking with the High Ones. I was trying to get them to give Po a gift that he rightly deserves," Tai-Lung replied. Tigress smiled at Tai-lung's compassion. Lion stopped sipping his tea.

"So what did they decide to give Po? Eternal life, eternal wealth, or a lifetime supply of food?" Lion asked jokingly. Tai-Lung rolled his eyes.

"No, we ultimately decided, and you can't tell Po this, but we decided to get him...a girlfriend." said Tai-lung. Tigress and Lion looked at Tai-lung intently.

"Not to be rude, but you're serious?" asked Lion. Tai-lung snapped his glare at Lion. "Hey no offense, but I'm just saying that I can already see a lot of girls liking Po just for his title." Lion pointed out. Tai-Lung sighed a growl. Lion did have a point.

"Well, Oogway said that he and the others would get her. I just hope it's the right one for Po and brings Po happiness," Tai-lung said sipping his tea.

"Me too. Po's been lonely for a long time. I hope that this special girl arrives soon," Tigress said. Just then Zeng came in.

"Hey guys, I have some news. Song, the head of the Ladies of the Shade, is moving to the Valley of Peace. Mr. Ping's offered her to stay in Po's old room until she can find a place to call her own," he informed. This made Lion, Tai-lung, and Tigress spit out their tea and burst out laughing.

"Now that's what I call fast," Lion said still laughing as Zeng stood there clueless.

"SHE'S JUST STAYING FOR A WHILE!" Po exclaimed. Monkey, Viper, and Crane were all laughing at Po's situation. Viper smiled warmly.

"We weren't suggesting anything, Po. We just find it funny how of all the people, she chose to stay in your dad's noodle shop. No offense, but the place doesn't exactly scream a place for a woman," Viper smiled. Po sighed.

"Well, that's the situation. There's nothing funny or unusual going on between us. We are just friends," he said defending himself, but Monkey wouldn't rest.

"I'm wondering why she didn't figure that she could stay here," he snickered a bit. Po's face lowered to the ground.

"That's because she thought that you guys would still be mad at her for stealing the things in the Jade Palace," Po sighed. This made everyone quiet for a moment. It was true that they didn't think about that.

"We're sorry. We didn't remember that," Viper confessed.

"Still," Tigress came in as she, Tai-Lung, and Lion walked out to the Training Hall front yard, "That doesn't explain why you didn't propose she stay here." Po would usually do that for anyone. Princes, crooks, rehabilitated criminals, family members, children, thieving children, etc. you name it. Po just rolled his eyes.

"Look, she's just staying at my father's house for a while, then she's moving out. I don't know why everyone is so giddy about that," Po said as he walked down the mountain.

"Because she's available," Lion said to the others. They all just laughed.

"Okay guys, that's enough. If we really want this to blossom into something great, then we need to give it some space and watch things work. Remember, we can't accelerate this, but we can delay it, or worse, stop it," Tai-Lung advised the team. They all nodded as they silently took the vow to get Po a girlfriend.