AN: Hello there, it's been too long for my tastes but life has been getting in the way in the worst way possible. I've been really, really busy with so little time to write or think about anything that isn't school...Anyway, here is an update that I hope you like.

Read and enjoy!

Chapter 8

Po has to make a decision

Shika let his eyes wandered lazily to the fifty or so fighters in front of him. He stood up and cleared his throat before addressing the audience.

"The last few days you have enjoyed each and every fight." The deer continued his speech in a monotone and bored tone of voice. "And now, after the bloodshed, the deaths and the defeats we have the last fifty contestants!"

The audience was going crazy screaming and cheering; Po was looking around quite happy with himself as he nudged Monkey to give him a smile and a high-five. Tigress smiled softly shaking her head, feeling slightly embarrassed when Po did the same with her.

"I don't know how the people can cheer and scream like that after hearing this guy." Whispered Mantis. "I mean, look at him! He looks so bored."

Shika stretched out his arms before letting them fall heavily at his sides. "People of China, please honor the finalist of the Tournament!"

Another ovation, this time with all the audience standing up and even the Emperor clapping with a half smirk on place.

"Five copper dàn said he would fall asleep any minute now." Crane rolled his eyes at Mantis while Po took the dare indicating Shika would most likely fall asleep during Jian's speech.

The deer took a step forward and indicated the fighters to approach him. Po was crossing his fingers begging Shika would fall asleep. While the deer let his eyes moved from one contestant to the other, turning to the side he watched as Jian nodded in approval.

"Well, you are the lucky one to pass to the next stage of the Tournament." Said Shika whose demeanor changed from one of pure boredom to one of seriousness. "This means you're the strongest fighters in all of China, or probably the lucky ones who had to fight some lame-ass fighter."

Jian rolled his eyes clearing his throat making the deer straighten up, "Right, so here is the deal. You will have this weekend to rest and train and decide who want to start next week."

"What do you mean?" Asked Po slightly confused.

Shika sent Po a quick glance before answering, "Simple. From now on you will fight until only ten of you are left."

"What happens then?" This time it was Tigress the one who made the question. She saw out of the corner of her eye as Ju smirked.

"You won't have to worry about it until the time is right, Master Tigress." Said Shika, his comment was received with a frown and it left many questions unanswered.

"For now know this, the only chance for any of you to claim a title is through the dead of your opponent. Otherwise you just lose your honor and the pride to be called a Kung Fu Master."

For the first time since they were put together Po realized and noticed the fighters beside him. A lot of good Masters had fallen under the clutches of some of the guys present. Some of them had on arrogant smiles, some others were serious or eying him or some of the Furious Five with greed. Only a handful of the presents were Masters Po knew and grow up respecting and admiring. He lowered his eyes with a sad sigh escaping his lips; this tournament wasn't as fun as he thought.

Listing his head he found himself looking directly into hazel eyes. Xiang Ju had been trying to make some kind of contact with him since her fight against Mei Ling, but Po had been hesitant about it. It had been the first time he noticed just how brutal this tournament really was. Of course, he didn't realized just how bad it could get until he saw Jian killing a raccoon after he challenged the black jaguar.

"Are you okay?" Po almost jumped startled by the hand closing tenderly around his forearm. The panda turned around to see Tigress close to him. Way too close. Po could almost smell the sweet fragrance of the dumplings they had enjoyed together for lunch and he could almost feel the heat coming from Tigress.

"Po?" The Dragon Warrior gulped as his eyes met Tigress's ones. He saw mildly amusement in them but also saw concern, something that wasn't there before the whole deal with Tai Lung and even Shen.

"I'm…okay, just hungry." Replied Po softly looking aside pretty quickly.

Tigress smirked finding the sight of a pretty flustered Po endearing; she tightened her hold on his forearm while making sure Xiang Ju didn't miss one single moment. Tigress sent Po a half smirk before leaning in nuzzling her face against Po's neck, purring softly and making the panda shiver.

"Well, it seems this tournament has really changed since we last participate in it." Commented Crane interrupting the little moment between Po and Tigress.

"Yeah, crazy uh?" Po started laughing a little moving away from Tigress and walking ahead of the rest of the masters.

Viper raised an eyebrow at Tigress who shrugged innocently while Monkey, Mantis and Crane looked confuse. "What happened to Po?"

"Wishful thinking, I hope." Commented Tigress smirking while licking her lips and following Po.

"Wishful thinking?" Asked Mantis confused. "What the hell did that mean?"

"I really, really don't want to know so I advise you to not ask." Said Master Shifu surprising the masters. Viper merely shook her head, Tigress really knew how to make things interesting, she took the 'divide and conquer' to a whole new level.

Poor Po, he really didn't know what was going to happen to him.

The Emperor entered the hall without his personal guard. He had sensed the presence in the room as soon as he put a foot inside. With a dismissing wave of his hand the doors closed behind him and the red fox moved forward.

"It's been too long for my tastes since I last saw you, Lord Shennong." A giant panda appeared from behind a huge pillar. Watching him this close the Emperor noticed just how old he was. At least older than the infamous Dragon Warrior.

"My Lord." Said the panda bowing deeply. "I apologized. It's been a little hard to try and make my way to the city."

"Why? Now that Shen is no more I thought I would be amused by your visits more often."

The panda allowed himself a half smirk as he moved closer to the fox. "It wasn't easy. I have to make some arrangements due to some change of events."

"Such as…?" The Emperor eyed Shennong. He had known the panda since he was a cub his father had always held a deep friendship with the panda. After his father died China had fallen into turmoil due to Shu Han being a cub when it happened. Shen's actions went unnoticed and the contact the Imperial family had with Shennong's kind was cut off after it.

Now, a few years later the panda and the few survivors had appeared out of nowhere, ready to face the threat that was Shen only to have an unexpected savior do the job for them.

"My son." The broken tone from the panda was all Shu Han needed to turn his attention to the panda.

"Your son? I thought he died along with your wife." Shennong winced at the bluntness.

"Yes, I thought so too. It turns out, he is alive."

"Well, where is he?" Asked the red fox with interest. "How do you know he is…?" Shu Han trailed off frowning, his eyes moved from the panda in front of him to the floor then back at the panda. "You've got to be kidding me. The Dragon Warrior?"

Shennong nodded his head; there was pride in his eyes but also worry. Shu Han smiled and then started chuckling. "This ought to be interesting…Like father, like son."

"I don't understand."

"He looks all soft and cuddly, but it's actually a good fighter." The panda wondered if he should be offended or worried about the 'soft and cuddly' comment but decided to not mention it. The Emperor was known for his peculiar behavior.

"Have you seen him fight?"

At this the giant panda put his chest forward in pride, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I've seen enough. He is good, if a little unorthodox."

"Yes, too bad he hasn't faced anyone out of the ordinary." The Emperor caressed his chin as he tilted his head. "Of course next week this is going to change. The finals are getting closer and the ones left to attend to it are the best in their own arts."

"That's right. I'm dying to see what my son can do with really good and serious fighters."

Shennong hesitated for a moment before continuing. "That's one of the reasons why I am here. I won't let Jian's plan progress any further just to see what happens."

Shu Han nodded his head moving to the closest window, he looked outside to the main yard of his palace. He hadn't meant to let Jian's plans progressed any further, the tournament was just the perfect moment to stop his ambitions and Shu Han admitted he was planning on using the infamous Dragon Warrior, the Furious Five and Master Shifu. But now…

"I guess, you're right, Shennong." The Emperor turned to see the panda bowing deeply in front of him. "Still, it would be better if we see how this progress. We do need to be observant; half of the fighters that got into the last round are Jian's students or relate to him some way or another."

"Thank you, your Majesty." The red fox smiled softly.

"There is no need to thank me yet." Shu Han tilted his head eying the panda with some curiosity flashing in his eyes. "So, tell me, how do you feel about arrange marriages?"

"What?" Sputtered out the giant panda. The red fox let his lips twitched upwards.

"Yes, your son does make a good candidate for a marriage and I know my father would have liked to extend his friendship with you through our families."

"I…well…I haven't and he…I…"

"Unless, you're ready to finally take Lady Gael's offer?" The panda cringed at the mention of the female earning him a chuckled by the red fox.

"I think arrange marriages sound interesting, who do you have in mind?" Shu Han chuckled; it was really easy to manipulate the panda in front of him once you mention Gael. That female not only was scary but she was a menace sent directly from hell. Thank the gods she was more interested in big, black and white males.

"How about my cousin, Xiang Ju?"

The weekend caught Xiang Ju trying to find the best way to approach Po. Xiang Ju was a proud feline.

She had grown under privilege circumstances. She had lived with different kind of luxuries, always getting what she wanted without caring for the consequences or the innocent ones she could take away from her goals.

This may explain to some point her obvious animosity towards the only person that had dared to cross her path: Tigress. The young feline had taken away from Ju something she took for granted; since she was a cub her father had made sure she knew how to fight and how to be a proper Xiang. Tigress had humiliated her so she must pay.

"Hello, Dragon Warrior."

Po turned around with his mouth full with peaches. He looked slightly embarrassed, holding a hand up for Xiang Ju to wait a second. The cheetah looked over at Po with a mixture of amusement and exasperation as the panda tried to swallow fast.

Suddenly, Po stopped and then started coughing, Ju didn't hesitate a second she was just right beside him patting his back and drawing circles on his back in a soothing manner.

"Easy there, Po. You shouldn't try to swallow so fast."

Po gulped clearing his throat as he was suddenly aware of how close was Xiang Ju. And just what she was doing with her hand. Dear Gods! First Tigress and now Ju? What the hell was wrong with him?

"Thanks." There was an awkward moment of silence before Ju took a step backwards and eyed Po with a frown.

"I see you…don't feel comfortable with my presence the way you did before."

Po fidgeted nervously looking around him, there were different people walking down the street but none of them were any of his friends. Where the hell were they anyway? Po returned his attention to the cheetah in front of him.

"Well, you're…I mean, you…fought well." Finished Po lamely almost face-palming himself at how stupid it sounded.

Ju nodded her head in understanding. "I see. You mean the fight against Mei Ling and…I bet after that you found some stories about how horrible I am. I guess I was wrong about you after all."

"What? What do you mean?" Asked Po confused.

"I thought it would be different with you. Yes, Tigress and I have issues and yes I was harsh in my fight against Mei Ling. But I thought you…" Ju shook her head turning around. "I thought at least you would be kind enough to hear my side of the story."

Po winced before going after Ju; he grabbed her arm softly and turned her around. "Sorry, I just…Well, it was kinda disturbing watching the fight and…I'm still confused about the little fight between you and Tigress…"

Ju seemed to think over Po's and the panda offered her a shy smile. "How about I heard your part of the story and you come with me to visit the city. I was supposed to meet with Monkey and Mantis but they aren't here and I don't think they would come. So…?"

"You're really lucky I like you a lot, Dragon Warrior." Said Ju stepping closer to Po, purring softly before dragging the panda behind her. "Let me give you a personal tour. I hope I can be a better…entertainment for you."

Po gulped nodding his head as he let himself being dragged by the cheetah. After a while Po forgot all about the tournament or why a nagging, familiar voice kept telling him that he shouldn't be so close to the feline next to him.

If you took all the confusing conflict, Xiang Ju was actually funny and new the best food stands in the city. Po had eaten more than he could take and now they were up in a small hill overlooking the city.

"So, are you enjoying your day so far?"

"Oh, yeah! I can't believe I eat that much!" Said Po rubbing his tummy, Xiang Ju chuckled licking her lips as she moved closer to Po. The day had been a productive one and now she was ready for the final act.

"I'm glad you enjoy it, Dragon Warrior." Purred Ju letting her paw caress Po's arm. The panda tensed up turning his green eyes to the female beside him.

The moment was filled with silence there wasn't much you could say with a dry mouth and a dead brain, in Po's case. For Ju it was more a matter of control. She had always liked the control she could exert on others. Having such a male like Po surrender was all she need to a have an ego boost, that and of course Tigress face was soon as she realized what the panda and her had done.

"You are certainly something else, Po." Ju leaned in and Po sat up in a fit of panic. This only brought their faces closer and the panda was frozen in place as he finally registered the closeness.

If you were to ask Po how he thought his first kiss would be, he certainly would tell you this wasn't what he had in mind. Really, the innocent part of him always envisioned another feline doing this. Another face and other hands. But all trails of thoughts were taken away from Po as the lips moved against his demandingly taking from him a low, deep and quite embarrassing moan.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything serious."

It took some time for Ju to moved away from Po but as soon as she did the Dragon Warrior stood up, flustered and stuttering like an idiot while moving away from Ju's satisfied look and Shifu's and Tigress's unreadable expression.

"Not at all, Master Shifu." Ju stood up her eyes locking with Tigress. "We were just…enjoying the afternoon. I've never been one to put out in such a public place with audience."

Po felt his jaw hit the ground as Master Shifu felt a growing headache. Ju was more interested in Tigress reaction, the other female was really good at concealing her expressions but Ju could smell the anger.

"Well, it's been really fun." Said Ju turning to wink at Po. "See you later, Handsome. Master Shifu, Tigress."

Po was still trying to collect his jaw and maybe explain what had happened but as soon as Ju left the tension grew to unexpected heights. Po let his eyes found those of Tigress but all he saw there was an empty and almost hollow look. She didn't seem to register Po's eyes until a few seconds later and then Po could swear he saw a gleam of emotions there before it disappeared.

"Master, if you excuse me…" Master Shifu didn't say anything, he only sighed as Tigress left.

"I am disappointed in you, Po." Po was confused; he really didn't understand what was so bad about what he had been doing with Ju. Okay, he understood about the rivalry and all, but he wasn't…he didn't think he could take it that far with Ju.

"I…I don't think I understand, Master." Said Po.

Shifu looked Po with a scrutinizing glare. Po fidgeted nervously as he stood there waiting for whatever Shifu would do or say.

"You really don't have any idea of what just happen, do you?"

"Well, I know Ju and Tigress hate each other because Tigress got to be the Master of the Tiger style and they've been like enemies since then." Po shrugged looking genuinely confused and apologetic. "I never meant to do anything wrong, although, I don't know what I did exactly."

Shifu sighed putting a hand on his temple, "You really don't know. Did you father talk to you about the…the…birds and the bees ?"

Po choked with his own spit, embarrassed at the implication of such a question. He looked really mortified and Shifu couldn't help but smirk.

"I guess that's a yes." Shifu sat and indicated Po to do the same. "You hurt my little girl, Po. And you hurt her bad. But, because I can see it was an honest mistake I would explain something to you."

"I didn't mean to…I…" Po trailed off as Shifu lifted his hand.

"Let me explain some things to you about females…specially females like the ones that had some interest in you."

"This is…going to be uncomfortable, right?" Shifu's eyes gleam evilly.

"You have no idea, Panda."

Po didn't see Tigress for the rest of the afternoon and most of the morning of the next day. He screamed out frustrate hitting the wall in front of him.

"Ow!" He put the hand towards his chest caressing his now hurting knuckles.

"Why are you hitting the walls?" Monkey lifted an eyebrow as he approached his best friend. Things had been way too strange the last few days and Po seemed to know something.

"I just…mmm, I was training?" Po sat heavily on the ground pouting Monkey shook his head and sat beside him extending a bowl filled with some rice cakes.

"Wanna talk about it, Big Guy?"

Po took a bite from his rice cake looking at Monkey out of the corner of his eye. "Something happen yesterday with Xiang Ju. Tigress and Master Shifu saw and now I think…I think…I have a female's problem in my hands."

Monkey stopped mid-way with his own cake before he burst out laughing. Monkey held his stomach and bend over laughing under Po's confused stare.

"What is so funny?" He asked indignantly. "I don't find it funny! I got Master Shifu giving me the Talk and mentioning how the mating process works with female felines!"

His last outburst made the panda blush and Monkey just laugh even harder. Po glared at Monkey but his friends laugh was so contagious the both of them soon ended up laughing and rolling on the grass. From their spot inside the Inn Crane and Mantis frowned in confusion.

"What's with those two?"

"I really don't know and I don't think I wanna know." Said Mantis. "Hey, wanna go to the main square? I heard there is going to be a puppet's show."

When they finally stopped laughing Monkey shoot an amused stare to Po, "So, I bet you were traumatized, right?"

"You have no idea." Mumbled Po. "But I was also left confused. I didn't quite get what Shifu meant with possessiveness."

Monkey nodded his head before eying the panda curiously, "What did he say exactly?"

"That apparently I'm in between a war." Po stared down before continuing. "I think it has something to do with me being Tigress friend and Ju wanting…something. Shifu was pretty vague about Tigress."

The Master of the monkey style nodded his head; he kind of understood why Master Shifu wouldn't say anything specific about Tigress reaction. But watching Po he realized someone needs to tell him about it…or at least lead him to the right direction.

"What exactly you don't understand?"

Po shrugged, "If Tigress is really interest, then why show it until now? I mean, I kinda made it clear I like Tigress from a long time. Is this because she is so stubborn?"

Monkey opened and closed his mouth several times at Po's words. The panda had a twinkle in his eyes and his lips were moving upwards.

"You don't really think I was that clueless, do you?" Po shook his head in mock disappointment. "Really! Everyone is always underestimating my intelligence."

"Well, there has been some evidence that has led us to believe you were kind of stupid."

"Hey!" Monkey chuckled before staring at Po.

"You really are a strange one, Po." Monkey narrowed his eyes at Po before taking into a pretty serious tone. "If you knew, then why keep paying attention to Ju?"

The Dragon Warrior looked aside embarrassed; he played with his fingers before answering in a soft tone.

"Well, no one has ever paid any attention to me the way she did." Monkey was about to retorted but decided to let Po finish. "And, well…I figure…if…if Tigress was really interest…I just never thought it would turn out into this mess."

"Wow, look at this. A thinker and a strategist. Who are you and what had you done to the real Po?"

"Monkey! I really need an advice and not a subtle life threatening talk about…" Po shivered as he said the word. "…mating habits! Really, what can I do?"

"Po the question here is: what do you wanna do?" Asked Monkey. "Do you really like Tigress? Ju? Both?"

Po shrugged not really knowing what to say, "I like both of them. I mean, I have had a crush on Tigress since I was a cub. But Ju is…well, she is something else."

Monkey sighed, "You want the advice from a friend who doesn't want you to get kill because you're such a good cook?"

"Eh, sure. It's good to feel appreciate." Replied Po dryly.

"Then think carefully about what you really want."

"I could have come with that on my own."

"Would you let me finish?" Po lifted his arms in surrender and Monkey continued. "Think about what you really want, how they make you feel and what you imagine doing in a few years and with whom. Maybe that could clear some things up."

Po looked thoughtful before replying, "You think that would help?"

"I don't have a clue." Po's face fell.

"That wasn't helpful at all." Mumbled the Dragon Warrior to a now apologetic Monkey.

Master Jian was strolling around the garden. This was the perfect place to escape from the outside world and think about his next move.

Jian stopped under his favorite tree watching the leaves move with the wind, the afternoon was a peaceful one. He turned his head smiling, raising an eyebrow while speaking a soft, almost impassive voice.

"What do you think you're doing, Wei?" The snow leopard let the shadows of the tree she had been hiding so far. Her eyes were almost close sending an angered glare to the black jaguar.

"You promise me the head of the Dragon Warrior." She spat out moving closer her hands readying themselves for an imminent attack. "You said that if I give myself to you and compromise with the training I would be able to kill him."

"That I did." Master Jian allowed a small smirk on his face, his eyes following Wei's actions with interest.

"You fucking lie to me!"

Jian arched one eyebrow, "I did not such a thing. You, dear Wei, decided to rush into things without thinking about the consequences."

"Me? Me?" Screamed Wei running towards Jian with the intent to kill. Her attack, however, was cut short by a familiar paw closing forcefully on her wrist making her wince in pain.

Wei's eyes opened the moment she registered the one who stop her. Xiang Ju was looking at her with a cold glare, her hand closed harder making the bones and flesh moan and twitched in pain. Jian walked towards them shaking his head with a fake look of sadness on his face.

"What a shame. You show so much promise…but you let your feelings for the panda get in the way." Wei opened her mouth to retort but a movement from Ju made her growl; her knees wobbled giving into the pressure.

"However, you did serve your purpose." Jian moved in front of Wei his left hand moving slowly as Wei watched him attentively. "Sadly for you, lucky for me, you won't remember a single thing about this."

As soon as Jian was finished Wei's eyes looked unfocused and then she fell into a deep sleep. Ju dropped her to the ground turning to her Master just as another figure appeared behind him.

"She won't remember anything, right?" Asked Ju with just a hint of hesitation in her voice, she needed to be sure the snow leopard wouldn't remember her part on what had just happened or what was going to happen.

"No, she won't." Jian turned around to face the new figure behind him. It was a young cougar. "But she did enough, as well as the other contestants for you to face him. Am I right?"

The cougar nodded his head, "Yes, Master. The panda won't know what hit him after I'm done with him."

"Good, I surely hope you won't disappoint me Pai."

"I won't, Master." Jian gave Pai a once over and waved his hand.

"Very well, please take this annoyance out of my face." Ju waited until Pai had taking with him the other female and she and her master were left alone.

"What is it, Ju?" The cheetah crossed her arms while resting her back against a tree; she was looking straight at her Master with a mixture of defiance and uncertainty.

"You don't really think Pai is going to be able to claim the title from Po." The statement was a complete surprise for Jian. He didn't miss the fact Ju stopped calling the Dragon Warrior a panda and replace it with his name.

"Perhaps, but I'm pretty confident Pai would serve his purpose as well." Jian tilted his head placing his arms behind him. "Who knows? Maybe, the panda has been lucky so far and Pai may kill him. This means I only have to kill Pai to claim the title."

"I don't think Pai is going to be able to go anywhere near Po."

Jian sent a calculating stare to Ju who fidgeted nervously under it. "Am I sensing affection towards the Panda in your voice?"

"No, no at all." She answered without a moment's hesitation. "I just see enough of him to know he is more adept at Kung Fu that he had shown so far."

The black jaguar kept his eyes on the female in front of him before he leaned his head forward. "Yes, I think you're right. The panda just need the right incentive to get really serious. Let's hope Pai and you can make him show his whole potential before I face him."

Jian turned around and left Ju alone in the middle of her garden. She leant against a tree, biting her lower lip thinking about what had happened with her and the Dragon Warrior the other day. She allowed herself a satisfied smirk as she remembered Tigress face and the feel of Po's lips against her. She certanly wouldn't mind having those lips against hers once again, or having Po in a more comrpomising position.

This had turned even funnier than she anticipated. But it wasn't enough, she needed for Tigress to feel defeat and broken inside. Knowing the Dragon Warrior was Tigress weak point was just perfect for Ju.

Ju chuckled her fight with Tigress would be pretty interesting. Ju needed to make things work her way and for that she had an ace up her sleeve.

It was about time someone told Po the real reasons as to why Tigress ended being a Kung Fu Master and taking Ju's rightful place.

Yes, she couldn't let Po live with the lie that was Master Tigress.

AN: What do you think? Remember that English isn't my native language so I apologise for any funny grammar, spelling mistake you may found here. This was a really tricky one to make so tell me what you think.

Next Chaper you will finally find out what happen on the test. Thanks to FFcrazy15 for the correction on the Birds and the Bees part.

Well, thanks for reading and don't forget to review!