A Better World?
Chapter 2 - The Next Day
The morning light shone through Po's open window illuminating the snoring panda.
"This is the warrior who saved China?, he looks like a child when he sleeps" thought Master Tigress who was looking at Po with her arms folded and the trademark frown across her face.
The morning gong had been sounded about thirty seconds ago, as was tradition the Five woke up, stepped out of their doors and bowed to Master Shifu.
He had noticed Po wasn't present and sent Tigress in his room to wake him up.
"His fur looks really soft" she thought, Tigress looked round her shoulder to see if she was alone.
She reached out to feel his fur.
Her paw stopped in mid-air, "Wait a minute...he's stopped snoring", she turned in horror to look at the half asleep Po staring at her.
"What're doing?" he asked while still not quite believing he had woken up to.
Tigress blushed and quickly stood to attention, "Nothing Dragon Warrior, I apologise for my actions, they were...out of conduct, Master Shifu sent me to wake you up, you are late for training...again".
Po looked horrified and suddenly very awake.
Tigress smiled at his expression "Come on Po we don't want to keep him waiting", secretly though she was relieved that the thought of Shifu's wrath had made him forget catching her trying to...well there isn't really a word beside grope that describes what she was trying to do.
Po hadn't forgotten however, he was just having a hard time believeing it. Ever since their date two days ago their relationship had completely changed, their feelings for each other were mutual, they just needed to admit it to the other.
They also still hadn't told any of of the five or Master Shifu about their date that day, it wasn't that they were ashamed of the time that they had spent together, they agreed however that they were more comfortable with just the two of them knowing about it, for now anyway.
Po followed Tigress out of his room, he tried not to look at Master Shifu who's stern gaze followed him as he walked.
Po bowed to him "I'm sorry Master Shifu, it won't happen again", Shifu looked at him for a second "Rise Dragon Warrior", Po stopped bowing and stood up.
Shifu sighed "I'm not angry Po, I'm just disappointed", Po winced "He must know that being disappointed hurts more".
Shifu ignored Po's wincing and continued "I would have imagined after over two years of the gong drill and the example of your fellow masters that you would've got it", Tigress and the others swelled with pride after he said that.
"It matters not however, we shall continue until you finally learn. Po your punishment is no breakfast, go into the training hall and start warming up".
He addressed the Five "After you all finish eating join Po and spend the rest of the day training, however instead of the one-on-ones I had planned I'll make it more of a freeform training session today, which means you can train however you like, but if I catch you slacking there will be a severe punishment, am I understood?.
They all bowed and in unison said "Yes Master Shifu".
Shifu smiled "Good if you need me I will be meditating, oh and Po before you go, after you finish your training today I need to speak to you about something", with that he left them to their own devices.
Po sighed "Oh well, see you guys in a minute", he sulked off to the training hall.
Tigress watched his retreating figure " I shouldn't feel too bad for him, he has been given more than enough time to learn", she shrugged and went to get some food.
xxxxx
The breakfast conversation had consisted of Mantis and Monkey telling each other jokes of increasing maturity and inappropriateness, Crane and Viper were talking about caligraphy and ribbon dancing, "They also appear to be moving closer to one another" observed Tigress.
Tigress meanwhile was just pushing her tofu around the plate with no interest in eating it, her thoughts were on Po and their morning encounter.
"I can't believe I tried to feel his fur, it's just after years of making my paws numb to any sensation...I want to feel".
Tigress then noticed that silence had befallen the room she looked up and noticed that all of the chairs were empty.
"Tigress are you coming or what?" said Mantis while hopping out of the room.
She hastily got up and left to go train.
xxxxx
As Tigress got closer she couldn't hear any noise coming from the hall, "Po's probably slacking off again, what a surprise".
As she got closer she could see the others all crowded round the door trying to peek in.
"What are you all doing?" asked Tigress.
"Shhhh" insisted Viper "Just look", Viper moved slightly so Tigress could get a look.
Po was practising his Inner Peace movements, his features looked completley at peace and his movements were fluid and precise. Tigress was completley mesmerised by his performance.
"Wow he's like a completley different person when he's focused", Tigress inwardly laughed at the juxpition between what Po was doing now and his childishness and tardiness when he woke up.
Tigress also noticed through his more relaxed movements how muscular and...dare she say attractive? he had gotten.
Before she knew what was happening she just begin to stare at Po, to her at that moment they were the only two people in existence.
However in the real world Viper noticed Tigress dreamy expression when looking at Po, she simply smiled and kept it to herself though she would confront Tigress about it later when they were alone.
Po suddenly stopped because he felt like he was being watched, his fears were confirmed when he saw the door slightly ajar and the five pairs of eyes looking at him.
He suddenly felt very self concious "Why are you guys staring at me?".
Mantis spoke for the group "Sorry big guy, it's just that it's...well...amazing to watch someone doing those movements and we've only seen you do them once before, it's a nice change of pace seeing it and not being in peril".
Po chuckled "So what do you guys want to do for training".
Tigress snapped out of her trance and sensed an oppourtunity to get some alone time with Po.
"Po, we need to work on your speed, you and me will do some elimination tag" said Tigress trying not to smile at her quick thinking.
Po was completley naive to her plan and went into fanboy mode at Tigress's willingness to spend time with him.
They both walked outside, they didn't notice Viper and the others giving them knowing looks.
Monkey broke the silence "I'm glad she's starting to make a move, although I always thought Po would be the one to do it".
The others nodded at his sentence and split up to begin their training.