Monkey sighed, walking through the village alongside Tigress as they were looking for a birthday gift for their master.

How is this so hard? Monkey annoyingly thought to himself. I've known Master Shifu for ten years yet I can't pick him out a gift!

Po had already said he was working on making something for him, so he didn't join Tigress and Monkey.

Viper and Crane were planning the party and said that they would go out later and get something. Mantis decided to get a gift somewhere else, who knows what Mantis is up to?

No one really knows what goes through Mantis' mind. Monkey thought with an amused smile. Once again, thoughts raced through Monkey's mind again of his master's birthday tomorrow.

The sad thing is, though, Monkey had been working on something for a few days now, but it had gotten messed up when Monkey had made a mistake on it. He himself felt terrible, and pretty much almost fell to the ground, crying, knowing that it had been messed up. Although he didn't do that, he felt like it, and he hated the feeling. This is my master, I have to do something for him!

Monkey shook his head slightly, almost unnoticeable. He had done so much for me.

Tigress and Monkey walked pretty much through the entire village trying to find something their master would like. Unfortunately, they couldn't find anything.

Of course, being the students they are…they wouldn't give up.

On and on they walked, occasionally talking to themselves and sharing meaningful glances at each other. It seemed as if the whole day had gone by and they hadn't gotten anywhere.

Monkey felt like it was pretty much almost sundown by the time they got back to the Jade Palace empty-handed.

Since the meeting at Mei Lang's house, the students had returned back to training and used up their remaining break time for planning or getting things for Viper and Crane's birthday idea.

What's their idea?
Monkey found it quite perfect, in a way, but he just hoped Master Shifu would like it the way he thought it sounded.

Viper had suggested that they do some kind of party thing up in the training hall courtyard, which was like Monkey and Po's own idea but with a little twist.

Mei Lang and Piao would help with decorations, and Mei Lang had also pitched in to help with a special song, which was kindly *sort of kindly* turned down by Piao, who said Mei Lang had a terrible voice.

Mei Lang pouted for a time, which let the students sort out what else would happen. Since they know Shifu very well and sort of on a slight personal level, they suggested that it would be better if the party was quieter and more of a calm peaceful meal rather than a children's party full of fun and loud-ness.

Piao and Ping Chang agreed, and Mr. Ping said he would help with food options alongside the great chefs of the Jade Palace, who hopefully would be all right with Mr. Ping tagging along.

Mantis had already been up to Zeng and told him the current plan and not to tell Shifu, notifying him that he should create a diversion to not let him in the Training Hall Courtyard. Zeng was all like "good-luck."

That wasn't a very positive thing, was it?

However, Zeng had agreed to try his best to create some sort of diversion-thingy, much to Mantis' relief. I suppose they'll just have to train elsewhere, which would be nice since they could be with Shifu without ever having to wonder where the *meow* he is and trying to diverge him out of the courtyard (which is pretty hard considering Shifu pretty much knows everything and plus this is pretty much his own house.)

To their surprise, none of them really guessed that this could be one of the best birthday's Shifu's had for a time, considering in his youth he never really got that from his fellow students or even his master.

To be honest, he was alone a lot.

Not to say he's never had them before, but something like this for him was special, truthfully.

Tigress and Monkey walked into the Dragon Grotto and placed themselves beside their friends right before Shifu walked in, letting out a soft sigh of relief that they had come at *just* the right time.

Po shot the two of them meaningful glances before gazing back towards their master for the other class.

As Shifu continued teaching his students like he usually did but apparently taking Zeng's "stay out of the training hall courtyard" to heart, even though he was a bit skeptical, Shifu sighed and finished up with his students for the day, allowing them to rest or train on their own time for the moment.

In the student's chambers, Po threw a small ball up in the air and was catching it as it came down, thinking to himself.

We probably didn't have to warn Master Shifu not to go into the training hall courtyard this early. Po thought. It's his birthday tomorrow, I guess we could have set it up then.

Suddenly a thought entered his mind.

Wouldn't Master Shifu get more suspicious? And….we DO have training tomorrow, right?

Po let out a long and aggravated sigh as he threw the ball on the ground and softly rested his hands over his eyes. The doors to his chamber were open as he heard his friends entering.

"You're telling me you didn't get anything for him?"
"We still have tomorrow-"
"Tomorrow's his birthday, you guys!"

Po leaped off his bed and walked outside his chamber to see his fellow students yelling at Tigress and Monkey.

Crane was *mildly* infuriated. "That's not called planning!"
"I KNOW!" Tigress exclaimed back, "but it's not necessarily the easiest thing."
Po sighed as he knew that they were in quite a predicament. It's true that it's hard getting something for a Shaolin Master who pretty much can get anything he wants within a blink of an eye, but Po also knows from experience that gifts are nice to get on your birthday, and heartfelt ones are simply the best.

Po had already finished his to his master, which was simply a small vase that he had painted silver with gold lining etched on it. Po wondered if Shifu had already had something like this, but he shrugged it off and hoped that this would be rather special, even if.

Po suddenly frowned.

It is a vase, I guess I have to get flowers for it, right?

Po inwardly facepalmed himself.

Which kind did he say he liked the best? Did I even ask?
Po inwardly groaned to himself as he walked out and tried to place himself between his arguing friends and his friends who were getting yelled at.

"Guys, guys, stop." Po placed his arms at both of them, stretched to break off the tension from them fighting with each other. "We're supposed to be working together, not fighting."
Tigress growled. "Yeah." She was *obviously* still fuming from the argument, but it was clear that she was trying her best to calm down.

Po sighed. "Mei Lang and Piao got all the decorations hung, right?"
"Yes."
"And everything's ready in the courtyard as far as set-up?"
"Yes."
"Good, then." Po let out a satisfied sigh of relief. Everything is going well….so far. "All we need to settle is a few extra things and then we'll be good, okay?"
Mantis folded his pointers and grunted. "Just as long as Tigress and Monkey don't mess anything up."
"Mantis!" Crane sharply yelled at his friend, who was upset at Tigress and Monkey for coming back to the village empty-handed as he wanted this to be perfect, but apparently now he seemed to calm himself and spoke down towards his other friend, who was seemingly speaking out once again. "Calm down."

Viper let out a soft sigh, blinking in the soft light of the chambers, as the sun was beginning to set.
"We promised to make this the best as possible, remember?" Viper slithered up and gazed solemnly at all of us before speaking again. "Let's all just work together and I'm sure we can make that happen."
Mantis grunted, but replied simply, "That's the plan."

ah...nothing better than a good plan ^..^

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