Love At Kao

Crane was immensely surprised at the work that Po did. Po helped heal the lame, blind, and sick. "How can the Master do all of these things?" Crane asked.

"When you're the Master of the Universe, these are simple things," Po answered. Po and Crane kept each other company, but strangely, Tigress was silent through the whole thing. She didn't even have her usual content small smile which worried both Crane and Po. But neither of them had the strength to ask her what was wrong. Finally, the Master told Po to go to a part of China called Kao, near the sea about a day's walk from Shin-Go. They would be there for the length of time the Master told them.

"Kao is a strange place to go to. I've not heard of any wrongs done there," Master Shifu commented as they prepared to leave.

"The Master can see what mortals can not," Po replied.

"You are taking Crane with you as well?" Shifu asked.

"Yeah, I thought it would be okay with you," Po answered. Shifu nodded.

"However, make sure that you talk to Tigress. There is something about her demeanor that makes me worried," Shifu commented. Po nodded as he caught up with the others and left. In truth, Po was probably more worried about Tigress than Shifu was. As the three finally arrived in Kao, people crowded around them.

"Are you the Dragon Warrior?" they asked. Po nodded. "We've been waiting for you. We were told of your arrival by the old lady."

"The old lady?" Po questioned. The crowd parted for a small female ram. Po recognized her. "You're the Soothsayer that told Lord Shen his fate."

"I'm not a soothsayer anymore," she said. "Long before you battled Kai, the Master spoke to me through my smoke. He told me not to do the soothsaying art and asked me to serve him. I did as he said. Now that you are here, my work is done and I can die in peace." Po smiled as he bent down and hugged her.

"There will be no talk of death here," Po said.

"Then let it be the Master's will," the Soothsayer said, "You will be staying in my house. I've made rooms for you and your two friends." Po bowed.

"We thank you for your hospitality," Po replied. Then his stomach growled.

"And I've also prepared food for all of you," the Soothsayer smiled. Po chuckled, embarrassed, as they went to her house and the crowd with them. Tigress and Crane followed behind them. The Soothsayer whispered to Po. "The Master has also told me about your two friends and given me insight into their future."

"So you're still showing people their fate? So, you basically changed it to something that's approved now." Po said. "Has he told you what's bothering Tigress?"

"Yes, but I'm more interested in your bird friend there," The Soothsayer said. Po was confused.

"Crane? What does this have to do with him?" Po asked. The Soothsayer smiled.

"There are many surprises for you in the future, Po," She said.

"OOooo! Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Po exclaimed like a giddy child.

"Excitement is surprising. You never know what will happen. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a surprise," The Soothsayer responded. Po frowned. That was her way of saying, "I'm not telling you." They finally entered the house as the crowd went home. The Soothsayer had lots of people helping her. Two guards stood outside the house. The house was much bigger than the rest. The living room was very spacious and had a single table in the middle. The walls had a few paintings here and there but that's all there was. She was very minimalist. The table was being prepared by a beautiful young female crane.

"The table is ready for you, ma'am," She bowed.

"Thank you, my dear," the Soothsayer smiled. "Everyone, this is my head helper, Jia. She will be assisting you in any way she can." The young crane bowed. Tigress and Crane bowed as well. Po's eyes widened and then a great big smile showed on his face. Tigress saw this then looked at the crane. Her emotion couldn't be made out on her face as Po bowed. As they sat down, the old ram asked Jia asked to sit down with them. This was unusual by Chinese social code, but nothing has been the same since Po learned about the Master. Jia sat down and Po, still smiling widely, questioned her.

"So, Jia, where are you from?" Po asked.

"I'm from the countryside. I came to the Soothsayer to get help for my sick father. She came and healed him. I've vowed a to help her in anyway possible," Jia humbly replied.

"It must be very exciting to be with her," Po commented. Jia sighed sadly while the Soothsayer groaned a bit.

"It... hasn't always been easy for the Soothsayer. Actually, I was very doubtful of her before I came to her," Jia explained.

"That's normal. Everyone in my village doubted me," Po replied.

"Yes, but you've had more success than us," the Soothsayer groaned in exhaustion. "This isn't Gongmen City. I was chased out of Gongmen because of what the Master was telling me to tell them. They wouldn't accept the message I had," the Soothsayer answered. Po sighed.

"Servants are not accepted in their own villages," he said. "Yet, we must try." As they all dined, the Soothsayer got back to business.

"Has the Master told you what you're to do here?" She asked. Po shook his head. "You are to teach the people here about the Master. They are a group of people who listen."

"So you chose this place because it was easier for you?" Crane asked.

"No, unlike Po, the rest of the Master's servants have received rough treatment in their own villages. It is a blessing that you have not received that harsh treatment," the ram replied.

"I have been fortunate," Po said. "But now we have to do the work before us." Po's stomach growled. "After I eat." Everyone, except Tigress, chuckled a bit. After they all ate, Jia started collecting the leftovers. Crane stood up.

"Please, let me help you," Crane said kindly. That was definitely unusual, even in this setting. Important people don't usually help servants with the work. Jia struggled to find words.

"It's... It's a servant's job to pick up the dishes and clean them," Jia explained. Crane thought about it.

"Well, I'm considered a servant of the people to protect them, so that means I can help. Servant to servant," Crane replied, taking the dishes from her. Jia was surprised. She had never met someone so kind to her before, especially considering she was a mere servant girl. They both went to the back. Tigress could see Po's grin as he relaxed into the back of his chair. Why was he smiling? Her question was answered when Po spoke to the Soothsayer.

"This is one wedding I'll be glad to do," Po smiled. It was then that Tigress understood what Po was thinking. The Soothsayer smiled as well.

"Yes, but please keep it a secret until it flourishes. You may have to leave him here for it to happen," the Soothsayer replied. Po nodded. "I will retire for the evening. Goodnight to the both of you." She bowed and slowly walked out. Po stood up and offered Tigress a hand. Tigress looked at Po. He seemed very serious about something. She took his hand and stood up as well.

"We need to talk," Po plainly said. Tigress looked away. She knew this was coming, but she didn't think Po would do it so quickly. Po led her outside to the back of the house. It was nighttime, and Po and Tigress sat down side by side underneath the clear starlit night. They sat quietly for a while. Tigress wondered why Po didn't say anything. Finally, Po spoke. "Have you ever looked at the stars?" Tigress looked up.

"Sometimes," Tigress answered.

"The Master told me that the stars are much bigger than they look. From far away, they look like tiny dots. I guess nothing is as it seems," Po said. Tigress stayed quiet. Then she felt Po grab her hand. "There was something that the Master told me about love that I didn't share with the people. I forgot to tell them."

"What's that?"

"Love wants the good of others. That means that people who show love want to care for the other. They want the best for them. Love is honest and can be honest with others who are loved. Because whatever is bothering the other, the person who loves wants to help relieve that burden. Otherwise, it worries them to death." Tigress sighed defeated. She knew he was talking about her.

"I was... uneasy about Crane coming with us," She said plainly. "I don't know why I was worried. I like the times it was just you and me."

"You don't have to worry about that. I don't expect Crane to be with me for that long," Po smiled. Tigress nodded and looked straight ahead. "There's something else, isn't there?"

"No, Dragon Warrior. There is nothing," Tigress answered properly. Po sighed.

"You know, I can tell very plainly when something's bothering you."

"Oh, and how is that?"

"You always call me Dragon Warrior when something's wrong," Po answered. Tigress sat there quiet for a while.

"I... realized that I was... possessive of you. I didn't like the idea of... sharing you with anyone... other than... me," Tigress struggled to say. Po's eyes widened but his mouth was closed. "I know now that it was a foolish feeling. I'm... sorry that I made a whole scene about it in front of you and Crane. I didn't know my silence worries you two."

"It actually worries everyone. If you're silent and you have a smile on, then we're okay. If you're silent and you're still in your straight upright posture, then we're okay. But when your shoulders start to sag or you look at the ground a lot and you're silent, then we worry," Po explained. Tigress stared at Po, taken aback for a while before speaking.

"I didn't realize I was so... obvious," Tigress said.

"You're not. I just know you very well," Po smiled. Tigress smiled as well. Po scooted closer to her side. "You know, truthfully, I was a little annoyed that Crane would be with us. I liked being with you, too," Po confessed.

"Hmm," She replied. "Po, I know that there will be times you will have to go and I won't be there. I guess I was just being...blind." Po threw an arm around her shoulders.

"It's okay," He smiled. "You were worried and that's natural for someone who cares a lot. But right now, I think Crane is a little occupied with Mrs. Jia."

"Do you really think they're going to get into a relationship?" Tigress asked.

"Anything is possible with the Master," Po laughed. Tigress smiled. They both looked up.

"You're right," Tigress said, "The stars are tiny," Po smiled. They stayed like that until sleep claimed them both.

The next morning, Tigress groggily woke up. Usually, she didn't have a problem waking up early in the morning, but something made her feel so comfortable that she didn't want to move. Then she heard a soft breathing. She looked around to see Po's head resting on top of hers. Her eyes widened. Did they sleep like this? His head on hers while her head rested on his shoulder? But rather than feel shocked or blush a bit, she grew a small smile on her face. Then she actually closed her eyes and nuzzled into Po's neck. As she went back to sleep, nuzzling Po's neck caused him to wake up as well. He looked down to see Tigress resting comfortably with a smile on her face. Then she purred. Her continual purring made his heart skip a bit, but ultimately, he was fine with her being like this. He wasn't nervous or itchy. He was... happy. He went back to sleep to the sound of her gentle purring.

Just then, Crane came to the back of the house to see Tigress and Po. They hadn't gone to bed and he was beginning to worry. That's when he found them resting side by side in the back. His simian friend back home would probably have snickered. Viper would have woken them up with her excited squeal. Mantis would probably snicker with Monkey. Crane, on the other hand, just smiled. "Ahem," He coughed on purpose. When they both woke up, they didn't jump away from each other at the sight of Crane's presence. They were comfortable with each other. "The people are waiting for you outside," Crane replied. Po nodded, helped Tigress up, and walked out to the front door where the crowd was. Tigress was stopped by Crane. "I have a confession to you. I overheard what you and Po were talking about. I'm sorry that I interrupted-" Tigress held up her hand.

"It was my fault. I shouldn't have felt that way. I'm actually glad that you came with us," Tigress smiled. Crane smiled back as they both bowed and walked out to where Po was teaching the people.

Continued...