To my reviewers thank you for your support and Po may have some surprises for you yet.
Po-
The crocs weren't so bad but I was glad to see land again as we stepped on to land I could see the jungle ahead was dense to say the least and only one path seemed to be passable from the ground ahead. Looking around I saw that the land jutted up in to rocky cliffs in that direction creating a sort of canyon ahead. Looking to the others I saw they were setting up camp for the night and joined them making a point to help Tigress first. I'm still not sure what she's like now but I'm not going to give up that easily this time.
After she finished the others had begun eating and talking as usual she reached in her pack and pulled a large piece of jerky out and began to chew on it as she walked to the moon lit river bank. Curiosity got the better of me and I followed her to a large set of stones that set a few feet from the shore line. Remaining in the shadows I watched her start to go through her Kung Fu motions as she always had from what I could tell the only difference was a fluid ness that came with practice then she leapt in the air performed an inverted spin kick snapping her leg out with enough force that she could have sent a rhino into a coma. She then began an intricate training regimen that displayed new movies that held enough power that the rocks and water beneath her shifted with each imaginary strike above them. As I watched her it was like watching a dancer perform a dance of battle. A gleam of energy and happiness entered her eyes as she drew her swords back hand and continued the dance only now she began slicing the rocks around her with the same strikes she had performed a moment later.
An understanding began to sink in as I watched her. She always seemed to be bored when we didn't have an opponent and jumped at the chance to fight maybe that's what made her happy. Not so much the meanings or fruits of battle but the very act of fighting. Shaking my head I mentally face palmed myself for taking so long to notice this. It's no wonder she didn't like me at first I was the polar opposite of anything she would respect. Well now that's changed I'll show her that I can be as good a warrior as she is. With a renewed resolve I slipped back to the camp before she noticed me.
I thought I had gotten away clean only when I got there she was sitting on the tree roots near my bed talking to Viper, and they were giggling. Now Viper giggling was no big but Tigress doing it with her was worry some. As I walked up Viper gave me an accusatory glare saying, "So did you see what you were hoping for?" Looking to my bed I avoided showing the tinge of a blush beneath my fur, "I'm not sure what you're talking about I just went to meditate." They giggled at this. Tigress got up and patted my shoulder softly saying, "Ok Panda." She didn't say it in a demeaning tone this time either. Blinking I looked to Viper. "Don't look at me. She hasn't said a word about exactly what has happened since we saw her last but I have to say I'm enjoying her being like this. It's relaxing to have another girl to gossip with." With that she giggled and coiled back up next to Crane. Shaking my head I tried to clear my thoughts and went to sleep.
Tigress-
Po really has grown since the last time I saw him. He isn't as easy to pick on that's for sure. Ah well, I can always pick on Decha after everyone's safe. Giggling to myself I thought about how easy it is to get him flustered, poke his ego right and he will blow like a firework. Streaching out on my coat I thought of the possibility of returning to the palace maybe I could bring them back with me if Shifu will permit non Kung Fu warriors there. The image of his reaction brought a smile to my face as I slipped into sleep.
The next morning I was up and about before the rest so I got everything ready before they were even moving and we were off only an hour after sun rise. I set a faster pace than I had worry finally starting to get to me. My friends were strong but the younger pair worried me and what Decha might do if they were hurt worried me even more.
Shifu-
It's been three days since they left and I have yet to hear word from them. Well they are grown now I'm sure their fine. This Decha that Tigress has been traveling with worries me. I know that Zing and Mantis haven't found anything out yet but something about that name worries me. I feel like I know it from somewhere, and it wasn't good.
Walking to the peach tree I sat and meditated on the situation. As I sat there a wind blew the pedal from the tree around me and I was in a cloudy field with Oogway before me a kind smile on his face, "What troubles you Shifu?" Blinking I replied, "Master Tigress has asked for the help of the others to save some of her new friends, but she has changed and the name of one of them bothers me. She called him Decha. I'm not sure where but I've heard that name before and it wasn't good." My master looked off into the distance before saying, "You know when seed grows it is no longer the seed it was. She has discovered who she truly is and how to express it that is all. As for that name you should remember it well since it is the name of the young man who beat Tai Lung before he lost his mind all those years ago. He was the student of On Zou the Mauy Brawn master. Not a bad boy but he enjoyed the brutality of combat a bit much. Just remember that not all is said with words alone." With that I was pulled back to reality.
As hard as I tired I was worried for the young warriors for some reason I felt this would be a battle that would test them emotionally and physically.