Shifu stood overlooking the palace grounds once again as he did this morning, but this time he had Zeng, Lian, his commander, Xiping, and his students by his side as he did so. Shifu didn't speak much, all but listen to their escapade of trying-to-hide-things-from-Master Shifu-and-how-that-worked-out type of conversation.

Shifu heaved a heavy sigh as he knew that his life seemed to have gone by in a flash. It felt like just yesterday he was six years old again learning the basics of kung fu alongside his master.

Shifu blinked, saddened. So many I have known have died.

He thought of his parents in his early life.

He thought of his fellow students who had either quit or had gotten killed in some kind of skirmish or battle.

Most of all he thought of his adoptive son and his master, who had been a major part in his life but had been taken from him.

One, viciously, and the other, suddenly. Shifu flicked an ear in silence, knowing that he had died by his own side, which somewhat brought peace to Shifu. All he hoped was that it brought peace to his master, at last.

He truly was a legend.

But, of course, nothing bad stays bad forever.

Shifu glanced over towards his students and Zeng who apparently now were in a heated conversation. Xiping and Lian were just watching with the same amused gazes, even if they were years apart from each other. Shifu truly felt a sense of calm for the moment, even if it was just for a while.

This truly…is perfect.

Parties were all nice and all, but sincerely the thing that Shifu loved most for the time was to be around the ones he is practically spending every moment with, and that he wouldn't change a thing.

I suppose I think about change more than I want it.

Sure, Shifu thinks back to all the others he wishes were here by his side now as well, but Shifu now has truly embraced the fact that he does have a place in the palace…

…..and it is truly perfect.

"Master?" Monkey turned towards Shifu, who was just randomly staring out into the distance while occasionally flicking his ear, catching the vibration of Zeng and his students' heated discussion. The student placed his hand on his master's shoulder and caught him a glance. "Are you all right?"
Shifu glanced at his student and slightly and swiftly shook his head, as if to clear his mind, then nodded.
"Of course."

Monkey gently brushed up against his master and stared out into the distance alongside with him.
Zeng grunted and interrupted their slight moment, still apparently arguing with some of Shifu's students. "I hope you had a good birthday, Shifu," Zeng said, his gaze clear as he stared at his long -time friend. "You deserve it, out of everything you've done for us and this palace."

Shifu met his gaze and gave a slight nod, which Zeng returned. Out of a few moments of silence, Zeng stood by Shifu's side and lowered his tone, a tone which was only meant for Shifu to hear but if others did that would be fine. Zeng softly lowered his head and met Shifu's gaze.
"Oogway would have been proud."

Shifu blinked, close to the point of crying out to his beloved master at the thought of those words, and the immense point of responsibility that Shifu was recognizing right at that moment, but he held it in and gently smiled at his friend.

"I hope he would." Shifu's voice was so silent and soft that it almost felt like he was grieving for his master at that moment.
Suddenly everyone fell silent and turned to Master Shifu. Shifu was familiar with groups staring up at him for advice or any such thing, whether it be his students, other masters, or perhaps villagers, but this was such a silence that Shifu couldn't take.

"Master..?" Crane placed his head to one side, catching his master's rather solemn tone but trying to not be too prevalent on the fact.

Monkey glanced up at his master again and blinked. "Are you really okay?"

"Yes, I-I'm fine." Shifu glanced towards his student once again as he did before, trying to hide his apparent sorrow. He missed his master more than anyone, or at least he thought so. He would do anything to hear his instruction and calm voice again, and that's a fact, much like his own students would do if anything ever happened to him.

Shifu folded his arms crossways and leaned against the railing of the balcony, glancing downwards at the extensive scenery.

Monkey gently took his hand off his master's shoulder and glanced at him once more before going in to talk about something with his other fellow students.

Zeng sighed and leaned in to Shifu with a similar position on the balcony.

"I know you miss him more than anyone," Zeng spoke, apparently talking about Oogway, or at least that's what Shifu thought. "But I mean what I said. He would be proud of you, and I know that for a fact."

Shifu flicked his ear, and dipped his head in gratitude for his friend to say something that meaningful to him.

"Thank you, Zeng." Shifu spoke. "I try my best and do what I can for this palace. As a student, I tried. As a master, I tried. And now as a Grandmaster, I am trying."

"You try and you succeed." Zeng spoke, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder and solemnly staring into his gaze. "I know that even I'm proud of everything you've accomplished, and I'm just your annoying friend-turned-head palace assistant!" Zeng gently nudged Shifu, and he blinked back at him in amusement.

"Annoying you may be, but you are a loyal leader." Shifu spoke solemnly to Zeng. "You're very good at it, it seems."
"No way." Zeng blinked, shocked, and a bit-or-a-lot honored. "I'm not even half the leader you are."
Shifu and Zeng shared gazes with each other, as Shifu just whispered a barely audible answer.

"Thank you."

The wind seemed to come from in front of them as it gently pulled them back, but not even half as strong enough as to sweep out from under them.

"Master!" Crane jumped away from his friend's basic attacks and brushed up beside Shifu, glancing at him quickly. "You won't believe what Mantis just told me!"

"No!" Mantis exclaimed, rushing forward to confront his friends. "That was Monkey, not me!"

"Yeah, then how about-"
"How about we just be quiet?" Tigress snapped at the both of them, and they fell silent. No one ever said a word or moved, except for Shifu, who just flicked an ear in amusement.

Monkey gently laughed. "It's Master Shifu's birthday, let's not ruin it."

Crane and his other fellow students came forward and gently stood beside their master, as did Xiping, Lian and Zeng to join in on it. It had been a busy couple of days, but in the end, it had all been worth it to celebrate the birthday of the master who had done so much for his palace, his family, in a way, and his province.

As they stood overlooking the palace's grounds from the serene place on the balcony, Monkey muttered a soft word as they all surrounded him, which the others muttered in agreement:

"Happy Birthday, Master."

Aww, wasn't that the cutest? It's such a good ending anytime Shifu's with his students, right?

Please review, and I hope you liked this!