A/N: Hello guys! It's been a while, right? Well, explanation at the end of the story... And disclaimer; once again, this chapter is inspired by the amazing artpiece by mitssch on DeviantART. When you read this chapter, you will know which pictures I'm talking about. :)

"Hey Shifu?" Junjie asked the red panda that walked beside him. His hand landed on Shifu's shoulder, a somewhat sly expression on his face.

"What is it?" Shifu asked, raising an eyebrow at the red fox's behavior. Of course, he was still acting odd – just like he had over the past few days, making Shifu a little bit timid.

"I was wondering if you'd like to make some lanterns with me later," Junjie told Shifu.

"We've already made a lot," Shifu replied. "Besides, the palace staff has bought plenty to decorate the entire palace… and today is the day of the festival."

"Yes, but I haven't got any in my room… besides, I'd like something special in my room – something…" Suddenly he briefly stopped; he pulled Shifu closer, his arm around his neck, resting on the latter's shoulder. "… Personal."

Shifu blushed slightly, although trying not to. "Alright fine, I'll see you later then."

Junjie smiled to himself as he watched Shifu walk towards the Hall of Warriors. The red fox could clearly tell that Shifu didn't seem to mind what he did. At first the red panda had been very resisting towards Junjie's behavior, but now it seemed to work.

Junjie didn't remember how long he had seen Shifu like this; for a male, Junjie found Shifu incredibly adorable. At first it had been in a brotherly fashion, but it had soon evolved into the way a young man would see an eventual lover.

And in time, Junjie had decided for himself that he wanted Shifu – more than anything or anyone else. Having come from a somewhat rich and strict family before moving in as a student at Jade Palace, Junjie knew about the old-fashioned view on two males being in a relationship.

Especially Junjie's father had been against these sorts of things, but Junjie had somehow failed to share his father's opinion on the matter. Maybe it was part of Junjie's spoiled nature that he wanted to do as he pleased? Either way, Junjie knew just what he wanted… and Shifu was what he wanted.

"Master Oogway?" Shifu asked somewhat cautiously as he entered the hall. The old tortoise Master was standing atop his staff in front of the scrolls of Kung Fu. As he was meditating, Shifu hated interrupting the old Master.

After a bit, Master Oogway managed to switch from standing on his head to standing on his one foot. And soon enough, in his slow tempo, he made it to the floor or the palace.

"What is bothering you, Shifu?" Master Oogway asked Shifu with a smile.

"How did you know?" Shifu asked surprised.

"When something is troubling you, you always… act so carefully," Master Oogway said with a smile. It was weird to Shifu… of course, due to it being himself, he had never noticed. "So what is it that you have on your mind?"

"Junjie…" Shifu started. "He's… he's been acting very strangely lately, Master."

"Do you happen to know why?" Master Oogway asked. Shifu shook his head. Master Oogway thought about it for a while. "Can you be more specific? How is he acting? I must admit I have failed to notice."

"That's because he acts like that towards me, only," Shifu said with a sigh. "He acts like… like… First he starts feeding me like a baby… then as he teaches me to dance, suddenly we're dancing! He acts like we're… we're…"

"Lovers?" Master Oogway asked, almost making Shifu jump right out of his skin as he realized this. Shifu stared surprised at Master Oogway.

"What… what should I do?" Shifu asked carefully. He was afraid Oogway wouldn't approve of such behavior. All things considered, he didn't want his best friend to get expelled.

Master Oogway remained silent, thinking, for a painfully long amount of time, causing Shifu to grow awfully impatient. "So…?"

"I believe you should do what feels right to you," Master Oogway finally replied. "I know some Master's would throw Junjie out right away… but I believe that things like these aren't useful for judging a person's character… besides." He put a hand on Shifu's shoulder. "You are some of the best students I have ever had."

Shifu came to the barracks. As he walked down the hall, his heart started beating a little faster. He was a bit nervous… was Junjie going to try anything? If he was, what was Shifu to do?

Eventually Shifu took a deep breath and entered Junjie's room. As he had stated himself, the latter's room wasn't decorated in the least. But then again, Shifu's wasn't either, so he didn't see what the big deal was.

"Ah, my dear Shifu, you're here," Junjie said happily as he let Shifu inside. As he closed the door behind Shifu again, Shifu's heart started beating slightly faster, much like when Junjie had taught him how to dance two days ago.

Shifu sat down next to Junjie on the floor. Before them were several pieces of paper as well as some strings and whatever else was needed to make the lanterns.

As the two started making the lanterns, Shifu was very focused on it. Junjie however, was paying a bit more attention to Shifu. Looking lovingly over at the red panda, Junjie was soon noticed.

"What?" Shifu asked a bit puzzled.

"Nothing," Junjie replied in a teasing tone of voice. Of course, this annoyed Shifu.

"Junjie…" Shifu said in a warning tone of voice. Shifu suddenly jumped slightly when Junjie's tail softly brushed over his.

"Yes Shifu?" Junjie asked in a teasing tone of voice. The red fox's tail started wagging slightly, although Junjie tried his best not to let it.

"You know… one doesn't really need the festival to find a significant other," Junjie said in a teasing tone of voice.

"What are you hinting at?"

Junjie didn't reply, and chuckling went back to work… or at least pretended to. As soon as Shifu began as well, Junjie struck.

Before he knew it, Shifu found himself tackled to the floor, pinned down by Junjie. The red fox pinned him by his shoulders. Of course, Shifu immediately started struggling to get up. "Junjie, what are you doing?!"

"Making a point," Junjie said. Confused, Shifu still struggled to get up. Suddenly Junjie let go of Shifu's right shoulder and suddenly grabbed the latter by his chin.

Then, before Shifu could ask what he was doing, Junjie closed the gap between their mouths. Junjie closed his eyes as he held Shifu tightly. Shifu however wasn't as calm; he tried his best to get away.

Here he was, kissing Junjie! This was… so wrong in so many ways! The two had known each other for so long, but the big deal… the big deal was that they were both male!

Shifu knew that if anyone ever got a word of this, it could ruin so many things. It wasn't really because he didn't like it – rather, it was because he was scared of what could possibly happen.

But… as Oogway had said, this was only something he should do if he wanted to… And… did he want this? Shifu thought for a moment… but frankly it was impossible to think in a situation like this.

Eventually Shifu decided, rather impulsively. He quickly pulled away, but soon he was pressing his own lips against Junjie's with mutual feeling.

Junjie chuckled into the kiss. Finally he was getting what he wanted… and not only that; Shifu wanted this as well! The red fox then moved a hand up and softly stroked Shifu's cheek, making the latter blush madly.

Finally Junjie pulled back and looked down on Shifu. The red panda beneath him looked mesmerized, much to Junjie's enjoyment.

"You liked that?" Junjie teased. Shifu didn't answer, causing Junjie to chuckle. Junjie eventually got off of Shifu. Taking Shifu's hand in his, Junjie pulled Shifu up into a sitting-position, landing another short, yet tender kiss on Shifu's lips.

Shifu blushed and the two sat there for a while without talking. Shifu felt… relieved. Somehow, the fact that he and Junjie had shared a kiss… that alone had made the difference. Otherwise, Shifu most likely would have still been insecure about the whole thing… but the lip lock had felt so right.

"Ju-Junjie?" Shifu asked he moved closer to Junjie.

"Yes Shifu?" Junjie asked. Junjie put his left arm around Shifu and took Shifu's left hand in his right. As their fingers intertwined, Shifu placed his head beneath Junjie's snuggling up his head against his neck.

"Will you… will you still be going out tonight?" Shifu asked.

"Possibly…"

"Possibly?" Shifu let go of Junjie's hand. "But… You just kissed me!"

"Shifu," Junjie said in a soft tone. "I… It's tradition… The entire festival… I have to…"

"Fine, then go," Shifu said. The red panda got loose of the red fox's embrace and left the room.

"How come you are not going?" Master Oogway asked. The two were in the dining hall, eating traditional Yuanxiao rice balls, as this was essential for the festival's traditions.

"I… can't," Shifu said bitterly. He was leaning his elbow on the table and his face in his palm. Then he, just as bitterly, said, "Let Junjie have all the fun he can have."

"You cannot stay mad at him," Oogway said calmly. Shifu had told the old tortoise about what had happened, so Oogway fully knew what Shifu was mad about. "You cannot always see a situation as bad. An orange and a lemon may seem similar on the outside, but one is sweet and one is bitter; they are not to be confused."

"So you're telling me that this could actually be a good situation?" Shifu asked with a sigh.

"It depends on what you make it out to be."

"Oh well, I'm not really hungry," Shifu said. He sat up straight. "I… I'll go to bed early."

Soon Shifu was walking towards his room. He sighed to himself. He had really thought that Junjie had felt something… But was this all just some scam to kiss Shifu, then humiliate him? At this moment, it would seem so.

With a heavy heart, Shifu opened the door to his room and stepped inside. Shifu walked towards his bed. Just before Shifu could start undressing, a hand landed on his shoulder.

Forcefully, Shifu was turned around and suddenly a pair of lips was forcefully, yet softly pressed against his. Shifu was taken by surprise, but soon recognized the smell, and the gentle touch of Junjie.

Shifu felt Junjie's arms wrapped around him, felt his hands gently caress his back. Junjie eventually broke free of the kiss, but kept his arms around Shifu. "Going to bed already? I even waited for you."

"You… were here all along?" Shifu asked surprised. "I thought you were out…"

"Well, I felt bad for what I did…" Junjie gave Shifu a gentle and short kiss. "So I thought I'd make up for it."

"But I thought you were going to find some girl…"

"Why would I do that…" Junjie stopped for a moment. He then gently stroked Shifu's cheek. "… When everything I want is right here with me?"

Shifu blushed madly. Junjie really sounded like he meant it. And he said that he had felt bad for what he did… How could Shifu not find it endearing? "Junjie?"

"Yes?"

"I think I love you," Shifu said, blushing more than ever. He stared into Junjie's orange eyes, and the latter stared into his blue ones.

"I love you too, my little Shifu." Junjie leaned in for a kiss once again, this time Shifu kissed him back, wrapping his arms around the red fox as well.

Unbeknownst to the two lovers, their Master was right outside Shifu's room… and he had heard each and every single word that had been exchanged between his two students.

The old tortoise smiled to himself. It was good to see love blossoming… even despite how… unusual this very couple was. But Oogway simply kept smiling, even as he left the barracks to let the two lovers have their moment.

A/N: Okay, so I know that it seems that I'm going a little fast here... I know some more build-up probably would have helped, but I feel like this turning of events can make for more interesting one-shots. Yes, I will not end it here - that would be too easy! No, I will use this story series as a stress reliever - right now I'm working on a project - something big - and I will keep updating this story, though my other ones won't be updated, unfortunately. But fear not - when the project is either complete or failed, I will returne... also, the release of the next movie might help too. ;)